§ MR. BELL (Derby)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a recent fatal accident to a child at Jesmond, a fatal accident to Joseph Innes at the Manors Station on the 13th instant, an accident to James Hughes on the same date, and an accident to Philip Gilroy at the Newcastle Central Station on the 14th instant, all of them through coming in contact with the live rail on the electric section of the North Eastern Railway and whether he will consider what steps are necessary, and what means can be adopted to protect such rails upon electric railways in existence and which may be constructed in future.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The Board of Trade have received information from the railway company in regard to each of these unfortunate accidents. I may mention that in the last named case the injury appears to have been slight, not necessitating absence from duty. I have ordered an inquiry into the circumstances attending the fatal accident at 466 Manors Station, and the report made by the Board's Inspecting Officer will receive careful consideration.