§ MR. BELLTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an exhibition of models of automatic couplings and either-side brakes is to be held at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, from the 25th inst. to 2nd July; and if he will arrange for some of his inspecting officers to visit it and report on the models as to their practicability for adoption on the railways of this country.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The assistant inspecting officers have been asked to visit the exhibition to which the hon. Member refers. An inspection of models would not be sufficient to enable an opinion to be formed whether the adoption of any particular invention would be practicable.