§ Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that George Dade, who was employed as a shunter at Stratford Market sidings on the London and North Eastern Railway, was killed while carrying out his duties on 9th January last; whether it is the practice of his Department to hold inquiries into all fatal accidents on the railways; and, if not, whether he will hold an inquiry in this case to ascertain whether it is possible to improve the existing safety provisions at these sidings with a view to preventing such accidents in future?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIt is the practice to hold inquiries into accidents on railways, whether fatal or not, whenever374W it is considered that such investigation would be likely to lead to useful results, but inquiries are not always necessary where the accident is clearly attributable to misadventure. In this case the verdict at the coroner's inquest was to the effect that the unfortunate man was accidentally killed by being knocked down by an engine in a thick fog, and in these circumstances no inquiry was held. There has been no suggestion that conditions at these sidings contributed in any way to the accident, but I should, of course, consider any point which the hon. Member may wish to bring to my attention.