§ 24. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the fact that three more railway servants were killed last month whilst working on the permanent way at 103W Uxbridge; and if, in view of the evidence of this continued loss of life and the fact that about 60 men were killed during 1952, he is still satisfied that nothing more can be done to prevent this loss of life.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have received a report of this regrettable accident. I have ordered an inquiry by one of the railway employment inspectors, and it will be understood that I cannot make any further statement until I receive his report.
On the second part of the Question, there were 61 fatalities in 1952 to men working on the permanent way, compared with the average of 59 for the five years 1946-50, although there was an improvement to 46 in 1951. As I informed the hon. Member on 23rd February, inquiries are held by the railway employment inspectors into all such fatalities and injuries reported. Their recommendations invariably receive the close attention of the Railway Executive, whose continual educative measures include the wide circulation of the reports among the staff. As the majority of these accidents arise from want of individual care and disregard of simple safety rules it is difficult to see what more can be done.