§ Mr. JAMES THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the trip-cocks in operation on the Metropolitan and other railways are so placed as to render their operation dangerous to the men; whether he is aware that the men's lives are unnecessarily risked in having to leave the motor cab to attend to these cocks; and, having regard to the fact that there are trip-cocks in use which obviate these dangers, he will take steps to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. TENNANTOnly one accident is recorded as having occurred in closing the trip-cock on any railway on which this apparatus is in use. An inquiry was held into that accident, and both the position of, and the method of closing, the trip-cock were gone into. I am advised that it is not altogether desirable to arrange for the closing of the trip-cock from the motor cab, but the company concerned has been asked to consider whether other means can be adopted for preventing possible danger to the men.