HC Deb 12 March 1903 vol 119 cc560-1

Address for "Return of all Military Expeditions in which British or Native troops have been employed during the last ten years, in the following form:—

as caused by the traction engines and wagons employed by the contractor to the Great Northern, Brampton, and Piccadilly Electric Railway, now in course of construction; what is the nature of the accidents, and at what hour of the day did they occur; do the police report upon the absence of any man with a red danger flag going before these traction engines to give warning.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas.) Three accidents are reported to me as having been caused by horses taking fright at the traction engine in question. In one case, which occurred at 11.30 a.m., a hackney carriage was overturned, and the driver's arm and the hands of a gentleman in the cab were injured. In the second, which occurred at 6.15 p.m., a. van collided with the engine, and the driver of the van was cut about the head and sustained concussion of the brain. In the third case, which occurred at 1.30 p.m., a brougham collided with a hackney carriage, and the driver of the brougham was thrown into the roadway and died of his injuries. Reports also show that in three other instances the engine skidded or collided with an electric wire post and an electric tramcar. In one case a man employed with the engine was injured. There is no statutory requirement that a man should carry a red flag in front of such engines. I may add that I am informed that the use of the traction engine has been discontinued by the contractor.