§ MR. JOWETTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee which is in quiring into the question of safety appliances on railways has had the subject of automatic couplings under consideration; and when it is likely to report.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI am informed that the time of the Committee has been fully occupied with the question of either side brakes and with experiments with appliances of this nature. They have at the same time taken steps with a view to ascertaining whether there is any need for automatic couplings in this country, and are collecting information as to the conditions with which automatic couplings should comply so as to be suitable for the rolling stock in the United Kingdom in case the necessity for their adoption should be established.
§ MR. JOWETTCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the Report may be expected?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI understand it will take some time to carry out the experiments.