§ 37. Mr. Maxton(for Mr. McGovern) asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make inquiries regarding the use of a device on the Great Western Railway which prevents a train passing a signal at danger; and will he urge or compel installation on other railways?
§ Mr. BurginI am fully informed about the system of automatic train control which is installed throughout the greater part of the running lines of the Great Western Railway and operates in connection with the distant signal. Trials have been in progress for some time on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway with an alternative system which performs similar functions. This company, 226 and the London and North Eastern and Southern Railway Companies, have felt it necessary to await the outcome of these experiments before adopting either system. While I have no power to compel the use of automatic train control equipment, I am anxious to encourage its wider use with due regard to the reliability of the apparatus.
§ Mr. MaxtonIs it not a fact that the London Midland and Scottish, the London and North Eastern and the Southern Railways have a much worse accident rate than the Great Western?
§ Mr. BurginI would not like to express an opinion on the relative accident levels without a question being put on the Paper.