§ Mr. JAMES THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the London and North-Western Railway Company have added to the work of enginemen and firemen at certain stations by compelling them to clean their footplates, and threatening them with punishment in the event of their failing to do so; and, having regard to the fact that such work can only be performed when the engine is standing in order to comply with the company's instructions in these matters, which makes it practically impossible for the men to carry out Rule 55, and having regard to the importance attached to the observance of this rule, whether he will communicate with the London and North-Western Railway Company with a view to their co-operating and assisting the men to carry out a rule framed for public safety?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have invited the observations of the railway company upon the representations contained in this question, but, as my hon. Friend was informed in reply to his question of 13th February, I am unable to make any statement on the subject of Rule 55 until the reports of the inspecting officers on recent accidents have 558 been received, and we have had time carefully to consider them.