§ Mr. JAMES THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the number of railway accidents of late, and where the Government inspectors have reported such accidents to have been largely contributed to by the failure of the men to observe Rule 55; and whether, having regard to the impracticability of carrying out such rule under the pressure of modern conditions of railway work, and the danger arising in many cases in carrying out Rule 55, he will consider the advisability of recommending the withdrawal of Rule 55 and the substitution of some mechanical device or appliance to meet the object required?
Mr. BUXTONInquiries have been held by the Board of Trade into three recent accidents in which the non-observance of Rule 55 of the Railway Clearing House Standard Book may be involved. I have 683 not yet received the report of the Inspecting Officer in two of these cases, and I am, therefore, not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the whole matter is receiving my earnest consideration.