§ THE DUKE OF SOMERSETsaid, he had given Notice of a Motion for a Return of any information which the Board of Trade could furnish, showing the progress made in the adoption of additional brake-power by the Railway Companies of the United Kingdom, in conformity with the unanimous recommendations of the Railway Commission of 1873. He had, however, been forestalled by a Return already laid on 1484 the Table, and which showed that the Railway Companies themselves attached great importance to brake-power. There was one exception — the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company, of which Sir Edward Watkin was Chairman. The Board of that Company doubted the importance of brake-power. It was very satisfactory to find that the various Railway Companies were applying themselves to find the best manner in which increased brake-power could be applied. The Royal Commission appointed in 1873 had unanimously recommended additional brake-power. Some Companies were still very far off from a good system; but he repeated that it was gratifying to find them applying themselves to the matter with goodwill and earnestness. Under the circumstances, it was unnecessary that he should move for his Return.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONwas glad that the noble Duke had called attention to the subject. He thought the Returns in their Lordships' hands would show that the Board of Trade had not been behindhand in the matter, but had taken the earliest opportunity of calling the attention of the various Railway Companies to the Report of the Royal Commissioners. He agreed with the noble Duke that it was satisfactory to notice the manner in which the Railway Companies were applying themselves to the subject, and it would be gratifying to Parliament and the country if those Companies should be able to adopt an effective system of continuous breaks.