HC Deb 31 July 1951 vol 491 cc1171-3
25. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Lord Privy Seal the reason for two trains on the Emmett railway at the Festival Gardens proceeding at the same time and on the same line in opposite directions to a head-on collision on 11th July, 1951; what signalling arrangements are in force on this railway; what safety devices are installed; and whether the railway is now closed to the general public.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Stokes)

One of the drivers failed to carry out the very simple system which is in operation to prevent such an occurrence. There is no signalling system, but other forms of control are used. There are no electric or mechanical safety devices installed. The railway is not now closed to the public.

Mr. Nabarro

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the two locomotives involved in this head-on collision, named, respectively "Nellie" and "Wild Goose," on the Oyster Creek and Far Tottering Railway, are now restored to full operational efficiency; and will he give the House a further assurance that every step will be taken to prevent a repetition of this very sad episode?

Mr. Stokes

The answer to the first part of that supplementary question is "Yes, Sir"—at least, I think it is. With regard to the danger, if the hon. Gentleman will study the report of the inquest, he will find that the jury added nothing to their verdict of "Accidental death."

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the right hon. Gentleman say which of the peculiarities of this railway caused it to be the only one in the United Kingdom about whose administration Ministers will answer Questions in this House?

Mr. Stokes

I think the answer to that is that the Festival Gardens are prepared to answer for anything.

Mr. Driberg

Since this railway is always referred to by the name of the distinguished artist who decorated it, is it not only fair to him to point out that he was responsible only for the superstructure and the decorative part of it, and not for the mechanical side of it at all; and would it not also be fair to spell his name correctly?

Mr. Stokes

I can assure my hon. Friend that he did not design the accident.

26. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Lord Privy Seal the casualties sustained on 11th July, 1951, when a head-on collision took place on the Emmett Railway at the Festival Gardens; what arrangements he has made for passengers on this railway to be insured against loss of life and personal injury; and whether he will make a statement regarding insurance of passengers for all risks for the guidance of future passengers on all similar conveyances in the Festival Gardens.

Mr. Stokes

The casualties were, I regret to say, one killed and 12 injured. The Festival Gardens Company insists on all concessionaires being adequately insured against loss of life and personal injury, and the concessionaire concerned was so covered. The Company is itself fully covered against contingency liability, if any.