§ Mr. HERBERT CRAIGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can 357 state what powers, if any, are exercised by the Board of Trade for the purposes of insuring that the rolling stock employed by railway companies for the conveyance of passengers is of such a pattern as regards facilities for egress as not to involve, in the opinion of those who advise the Board of Trade, risk of unnecessary loss of life in the event of accident?
§ Mr. HERBERT CRAIGalso asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has considered the reply which he has received from the North-Eastern Railway Company as to the pattern of the electric passenger coaches in use on their Tynemouth branch; and whether he will call for a report from the Board of Trade experts with a view to determining whether a type of coach fitted with windows that do not open and with hinged doors opening inwards into vestibules which are sometimes crowded with standing passengers, such doors being unattended by any servant of the company and frequently situated at only one end of the carriage, involves serious risk of unnecessary loss of life in the event of collision, derailment, or other accident?
Mr. BUXTONThe design of the passenger rolling stock used by railway companies does not require the approval of the Board of Trade, except in the case of certain tube railways. As regards the particular carriage in question, I will ask one of the Inspecting Officers of Railways to examine them, and if it appears necessary we will put any suggestions that he may make before the railway company for their consideration.