§ MR. WARDLE (Stockport)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an accident occurred to a point cleaner at Fenchurch Street Station, Great Eastern Railway, on 9th March, 1908; that a Board bf Trade inquiry was held into the matter on 15th April, 1908, when it was elicited that the point cleaner was working at this busy spot without a look-out man; whether he is aware that a look-out man was appointed after the inquiry; that the victim of the accident was removed from Fenchurch Street a week after the inquiry and a new point cleaner substituted without a look-out man; and will he say what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL,) DundeeThe Board of Trade are informed by the 341 railway company that it is not the case that a look-out man was appointed after the inquiry to which my hon. friend refers. The company also state that the new point cleaner (like his predecessor) prefers to work without a look-out man, and the company consider that to appoint such a man would probably increase the danger. The Board as at present advised are not convinced that this opinion is sound and propose to communicate again with the company.