HC Deb 25 April 1907 vol 173 cc277-8
MR. LEIF JONES

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the comments of Major Pringle in his Report on the Arbroath railway accident, on the well-meant but ill-advised action of the general public in treating railway men with intoxicants; and whether he can see his way to put an end to this practice by inducing the railway companies to establish the rule that railway servants on duty shall not be served with intoxicants in railway refreshment rooms. (The hon. Member explained that the words "well-meant but ill-advised" were a quotation from Major Pringle's report and not his own.

MR. KEARLEY

Yes, I know that. I understand that the railway companies generally have made a rule to the effect suggested. It does not appear from Major Pringle's report that Gourlay was served with intoxicants in the railway refreshment room.

* MR. LEIF JONES

Then do I understand that there is such a rule in existence on many of our railways?

MR. KEARLEY

Yes.

MR. LEIF JONES

Then it is very much violated.

MR. C. E. PRICE

Is there any law under which the public can be prosecuted for giving intoxicants in such cases?

MR. KEARLEY

I should like notice of that Question.