§ 71. Mr. Thorneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can give any information in connection with the train that plunged into a bomb crater, at a place of which he has been informed; and how many people were killed and injured?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary.to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)I regret that this accident caused the death of the driver and fireman of the locomotive involved, and injury to two other railway servants and to three passengers. I understand that authority had been given to the signalman to allow the train to proceed at slow speed. This was an error of judgment. The examination of the line had already been begun, and 853 until this examination was complete, the train ought to have been held. Since the accident happened, the regulations have been amplified to guard against a similar occurrence in future. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep sympathy with the families of the two railwaymen who lost their Jives in the performance of their duty.
§ Mr. ThorneWas not this danger known at Liverpool Street Station before the train started?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI would not like to say that it was known at Liverpool Street Station before the train started, but I am clear that the regulations were not quite strict enough for avoiding accidents of this kind, and they have been tightened up.