HC Deb 29 January 1913 vol 47 cc1334-5
60. Mr. LYNCH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in respect to the tube system of railways in the case of accidents caused by disregard of signals, it is the practice of the Board of Trade to examine the drivers for colour vision; whether, if so, he can state what method of testing is adopted; whether it has proved entirely satisfactory; whether the colour vision of the driver who ran past the danger signal at Caledonian Road on 4th September was found to be normal; whether more than one method of testing was employed; and, if so, whether the results obtained were consistent?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The only accident of this kind on a tube railway into which an inquiry has been held on behalf of the Board of Trade was the collision at Caledonian Road station in September last. The inspecting officer who held the inquiry did not consider it necessary -to have the colour vision of the motor man concerned specially tested, but it appeared from the evidence that the man's eyesight had been tested by the company in the previous March, and been found to be satisfactory.

Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these men are tested for colour; if so, whether they are tested by the ordinary skein or by lamp?

Mr. ROBERTSON

As regards the railway companies I cannot answer, but I will make inquiries.