§ Mr. JAMES THOMASasked whether the right hon. Gentleman can now state what steps are being taken to compel rail- 1034 way companies to provide some uniform mechanical appliance to substitute Rule 55, having regard to the inspecting officer's report on the Hawes Junction and Pontypridd disasters?
Mr. BUXTONI have carefully considered this matter, and I have asked the railway companies to consider the desirability of providing mechanical or electrical appliances at places where detentions are frequent, or where trains are liable to stand out of sight of the signal cabin. Where mechanical appliances were provided Rule 55 would be no longer necessary in its present form.