§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the existence of a patent vacuum lock for railway coaches, namely, Connor and Norwood's Patents Nos. 25,643 of 1907 and 21,012 of 1908; whether he has been informed of the result of the Board of Trade examination upon the same; and whether the Board has power to enforce the adoption of any invention that is proved satisfactory in every particular?
Mr. BUXTONThe chief inspecting officer of railways made an examination of the appliance referred to in March last, and personally indicated to Mr. Connor certain points in which the device appeared to be unsuitable for railway purposes. The Board of Trade have no statutory power to enforce the adoption of an invention of this nature, even if it is deemed satisfactory.