§ MR. WARDLEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the practice of banking passengers and other trains up inclines on the London and North Western and Midland Railways, without either the engine in the rear being coupled to the train in front or any continuous brake connection being formed; and whether, in view of the possibility of accident to the front engine or train, and with a view to securing safe working, especially at night, he will say what steps he proposes to take, if any, to avoid such risk.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI am aware that this method of working trains is adopted at some places on the railways mentioned, and the companies inform me that, after full consideration and long experience, they are of opinion that it is safe and unobjectionable. The inspecting officers of railways agree that where an assistant engine is used with a goods train not fitted with continuous brakes, the necessity for coupling does not arise, and that it is often desirable to place the assistant engine in the rear as a safeguard against a break-away. But their view has been that, in the case of passenger trains, the proper place for the assistant engine is in front of the train and coupled on, the brake connection being made throughout. In practice, however, no accidents have for many years past occurred on the railways in question from the practice adopted by the companies, and I am not at present prepared to take any action in the matter.