§ Mr. HUDSONasked if his attention has been called to the practice of the Midland Railway Company coupling together two long goods trains and making them into one train with an engine in the middle for block section purposes; whether any inquiry has been made into this method of working trains, and, if so, what views have been ascertained as to the danger to the men working trains under such circumstances; and whether the maximum safety in train working is maintained?
Mr. BUXTONAttention has previously been drawn to this matter, and the Board of Trade were informed by the railway company that nothing had occurred to indicate that this system of working was attended with risk of accident to the men employed or to the public. The company also stated that so long as the full instructions issued for the guidance of the staff were observed, there was no reason to apprehend the occurrence of accidents under this method of working. The practice of coupling two goods trains together is not confined to the Midland Railway Company, and I am advised that there is no evidence to show that it involves any special risk.