§ MR. C. E. PRICE (Edinburgh, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade how many hours the signalman, John Canning, worked at Redditch on 1st April; how many trains passed his signal-box from the time he went on duty to the time he left; whether he received any assistance; what time was allowed for his meals; was he permitted to leave his box during the day; what wages he earned whilst on duty; and whether any allowance is made by the railway company to his wife during the illness of John Canning brought about by the strain of work.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI am informed by the Midland Railway Company 601 that the signalman in question was not on duty on the 1st April. He was on duty from 8 p.m. on Saturday the 30th March until 7 a.m. on the following morning, his usual Saturday night turn of duty, during which time twenty-four trains passed his cabin. No assistance I was given during this period, nor could he leave his post, but there were ample intervals for meals between trains. This signalman is paid 23s. a week wages with an annual bonus of 50s. and during absence from duty through illness he receives 12s. a week from the Midland Railway Friendly Society to which the company contribute.