§ 41. Mr. THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a feeling prevalent among Lancashire and Yorkshire railwaymen that Rule 273, Clause (c), should be, amended so that the responsibility for the appointment of a flagman or other competent person to give the necessary warning when work is proceeding in tunnels or where the approach of a train cannot be observed or heard in time for the men to get out of the way should lie with a higher official of the company, and not, as now, with the ganger; and will he say what action he proposes to take?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Board of Trade have received representations on the subject. The Rule was, however, recently 2055 revised at the request of the Department and the Board do not think that they can usefully ask the railway companies to amend it further at present.
§ 48. Mr. O'GRADYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the manager of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company at Fleetwood engages landsmen presenting themselves for employment on their boats owing to the dispute with the seamen; and will he explain why these men when taken on are given an exemption certificate exempting them from being called up for service under the Military Service Act?
Mr. HARCOURTI have no information on this subject, but will make inquiries and inform my hon. Friend in due course of the result.