§ 72. Mr. BROMLEYasked the Minister of Transport under what conditions railway companies permit third persons, other than officers and employés of the railway companies, to travel on the footplates of railway engines; and whether, seeing that this practice is a grave danger to the travelling public, he will take steps to prevent its continuance?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe responsibility in this matter rests with the various railway companies, but I understand that it is only exceptionally that a third person other than a railway official will be allowed to travel on an engine. I may say that I have no information suggesting that the practice mentioned has led to any danger to the travelling public.
§ Mr. BROMLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Grantham disaster of 19th September, 1906, when 14 people lost their lives, was directly attributable to a person other than a skilled railwayman riding on the engine footplate?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not aware of that.