§ EARL DE LA WARR, in presenting a Bill to provide for the use of continuous brakes on passenger trains on railways, said, he wished very briefly to point out what were the chief provisions contained in it. Since the year 1877 the Board of Trade had issued, periodically, a Circular to Railway Companies specifying the conditions which, in their opinion, were essential to a good continuous brake. Following upon this, in the year 1878 an Act was passed requiring Railway Companies to make half-yearly Returns to the Board of Trade respecting the use of continuous brakes, and the number of passenger trains fitted with them. By this Return it was found that a small proportion of Railway Companies made use of brakes which complied with all the conditions specified by the Board of Trade. He asked their Lordships' attention to this point, because there were Companies who made use of continuous brakes which were doubtless, in many respects, very efficient, but which did not entirely satisfy the requirements of the Board of Trade. It was, therefore, proposed by this Bill, which consisted only of five clauses, to make it obligatory upon all Railway Companies, after the 1st of February, 1885, to use a continuous brake upon passenger trains in accordance with the conditions of the Board of Trade, of which the chief were that it should be instantaneous in action, and capable of being applied by the engine driver and guard; that it should be self-acting in case of accident, and that it should be such as could be easily applied to every portion of the train. Clause 3 1496 provided that the Board of Trade might make exceptions in certain cases. Clause 4 provided that the Railway Commissioners should have jurisdiction to enforce the Act. These were the chief provisions of the Bill. He wished to make it quite understood that it was not intended by this Bill to enforce the adoption of any particular brake, but that Railway Companies should use whatever form of brake was most suitable, provided it complied with the conditions specified by the Board of Trade. He presented the Bill for their Lordships' consideration, feeling sure that it could not be regarded, in any way, as a Party measure. Its object was to increase the public safety in railway travelling, while the interests of Railway Companies were duly kept in view.
§ Bill to provide for the use of continuous brakes on passenger trains on railways—Presented (The Earl DE LA WARR); read 1a. (No. 21.)
§ LORD SUDELEYhoped the noble Lord would put oil the second reading of the measure until the end of March. The subject was one of great importance, and the Board of Trade were considering the matter fully; but it would be inconvenient if the second reading of the Bill were taken at an early day.
§ EARL DE LA WARRsaid, he should study the convenience of Her Majesty's Government.