§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the signalman at Aintree, on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, was recently discovered dead in his box; and whether he will consider the importance, in the interests of the travelling public, of introducing legislation requiring all railway companies to have at least two signalmen in every box?
Mr. BUXTONI understand that the man referred to in the question was not a signalman, but a goods guard who was taken suddenly ill on his way to work, and died in an inspector's cabin. As regards the question of signalmen I am advised that under the block system of signalling it is difficult to imagine any circumstances in which the sudden illness or death of a signalman could cause danger to the travelling public; whereas the presence of two signalmen in a box where there is only work for one might lead to accidents through misunderstanding or division of responsibility.
§ Mr. KEBTY-FLETCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway that where they have electrified their line they should in 2217 the interests of the travelling public and in their own interest have a junior workman in the signal box who might be learning his trade?