§ Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Home Secretary if he can state how many convictions for drunkenness have been secured during the past five years against those in charge of trains, connected with trains in a responsible capacity, in charge of signal boxes, or in any other capacity in which the strictest sobriety is essential to the safety of train travellers?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe statistics of convictions for drunkenness in the possession of the Home Office do not afford the information desired by my hon. Friend.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department takes any cognisance of the danger 1517W to the travelling public from the drinking habits, short of drunkenness, of those in charge of, or connected with, our railways and motor traffic; and, if so, what steps it takes to protect life and limb from this danger?
Mr. ROBERTSONThis question is primarily one of discipline and as such is one for which the employers are responsible. I have no doubt that they are fully alive to its importance. Occasionally the inspecting officers of the Board of Trade have found it necessary to inquire into the sobriety of a railway servant concerned in an accident, and they have taken the opportunity of pointing out in their reports the danger which any laxity in this respect involves. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction in regard to ordinary motor traffic.