§ 26. Mr. E. Smithasked the Minister of Transport what action is to be taken to carry out the conclusions of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways contained in the Report upon Accidents on the Rail ways, Cmd. 6054, in particular with regard to level-crossings and the accidents to permanent-way men, fitters, and wiremen?
§ Captain WallaceA number of schemes have been completed for dealing with public road crossings by the construction of bridges. The case of occupation crossings is more difficult, and the railway companies have submitted a comprehensive report as a result of their investigation of over 22,000 such crossings. Until I have had an opportunity of considering the report of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways on the recent accident at Hilgay crossing I am unable to make any statement as to what action I can usefully take. The question of accidents to permanent-way men, fitters and wiremen was recently discussed with a deputation from the National Union of Railwaymen and I have drawn the special attention of the railway companies to the conclusions of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways.