§ Mr. J. H. THOMASasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the large number of engine failures on the railways, due largely to undetected defects in the locomotives, and the consequent serious danger to life and property; and, having regard to the public importance and urgency of the question, whether he will consider the advisability of urging the Prime Minister to immediately appoint a Select Committee to deal with the matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYThe total number of engine failures reported to the Ministry during the first nine months of the present year has not generally been 931W in excess of previous years. There have, however, been certain cases in which fractures of connecting rods have led to serious results, and this matter is being carefully watched by the inspecting officers of railways. I do not think that, in all the circumstances, the action suggested by the right hon. Gentleman is called for at present, although I am, I need hardly say, fully alive to the importance of the question raised.