HC Deb 12 May 1904 vol 134 cc1155-6
MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a new railway signal recently invented in the form of an electric bell; and if there is any intention of it being substituted for the old style of fog signals now used.

(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) Inventions of this character have been brought to the notice of the Board's inspecting officers from time to time, and, if detailed information as to this particular invention is furnished, they will be glad to have the opportunity of seeing it. The Board have called the attention of the railway companies to the question of the adoption of some mechanical system of fog-signalling, and I am informed that certain companies are making experimental trials of various forms of apparatus. It should be observed that, unless a thoroughly reliable apparatus is produced, grave danger might arise from its use.