HC Deb 10 May 1911 vol 25 cc1196-7
Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the death of a man by accident upon the new waterworks at Briary Bank, Masham; did any officer of his Department attend the inquiry; whether the accident was due to an engine jumping the rail and toppling over into a quarry where men were working; whether he is aware that the edge of the quarry was less than two feet from the rail; whether he has power to prevent railways upon such works being laid in such manner as to constitute unnecessary danger to the workmen; and, if not, what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This accident was investigated by the mines inspector, who also attended the inquest. It was caused by the engine, which had a small wheelbase, and was running light, being driven at too great a speed up an incline, with the result that it jumped the rails, and, after travelling 54 feet, fell into the quarry. In no case was the distance between the outside rail and the edge of the quarry less than 2 feet, and generally it was 3 feet and more. At the point where the engine left the rails there was a clear space of several yards. No men were working in the quarry at the point where the engine fell over. I understand that the Royal Commission on Metalliferous Mines and Quarries are considering the question of the use of locomotives in quarries in such conditions as obtained here, and I will bring this accident to their notice.

Mr. J. WARD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that quarries for this purpose, namely, waterworks and public works of this description, are not quarries within the Quarries Act?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I should not like to give an opinion on a matter like that without notice, but I do not think it would prevent me bringing the facts to the notice of the Royal Commission.

Mr. J. WARD

Will the right hon. Gentleman hurry up the Engineering and Public Works Bill, which he is delaying, so that he might make regulations?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am certainly not delaying the Bill. I am trying to push through a whole crowd of Bills.