§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether any tests were applied to railway bridges prior to their use for railway traffic; and whether, with a view to securing the safety of the employés and passengers, further tests were made as the age of the bridge increased and the weight of locomotives and trains was increased by the railways companies using such bridges?
Mr. BUXTONAll bridges carrying railways are tested by the inspecting officers of the Board of Trade before being brought into use for passenger traffic. After the opening of a line, the responsibility for the proper maintenance of the bridges rests with the company concerned.