§ Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the report of the officer who investigated the cause of the railway disaster which occurred in January last at Tirphil, Glamorganshire, has yet been received; and, if so, whether it will be made public;
(2) whether he is aware that a serious accident took place some time ago on the Rhymney Valley branch of the Great Western Railway, at Tirphil, Glamorganshire, involving the death of two of the employés; that the accident was due to the collapse of portion of the line; whether the landslide was due to erosion or subsidence; whether he is aware that another portion of the line below Bargoed is said to be similarly in danger; and 1153W whether he has power to authorise any officer of his Department to make an independent inspection of the lines in the upper end of this valley above Pengam, with a view to restoring the confidence of the public in the safety of that portion of the railway for passenger or other traffic?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe report made by the railway inspecting officer of his inquiry into the causes of the regrettable accident which occurred at Tirphil in1154W January has now been issued, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards the condition of the line below Bargoed, I understand from the railway company that a small slip took place at Gilfach Fargoed on the 3rd instant, but that the necessary repairs have been carried out, and, in the opinion of the company's engineer, there is no reason to believe that the line is unsafe in any respect. I do not think that in the circumstances any inspection by officers of my Department is required.