§ Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will consider the possibility of equipping long-distance trains with radio receiving sets so that the drivers may be kept in touch with the controlling authorities in order to avoid the danger of failure to observe signals under conditions of fog such as those which caused the recent railway accident at Ilford.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAlthough wireless apparatus is being successfully used for certain purposes in railway operation to-day, I am advised that, as at present developed, it would not afford a practicable remedy for failure to observe signals. Experiments in this form of communication between driver and guard or signalman, the last-named being the controlling authority in the circumstances suggested, were made some years before the war; but they were of a preliminary character, and in any case there are many special difficulties which result from war conditions. My hon. Friend, however, may rest assured that his proposal will be borne in mind.