§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Transport how many passenger coaches are now running on the railways in this country; what proportion of them are so built, as regards materials and design, as to prevent telescoping in the event of a collision; whether it is obligatory upon the companies to build all new rolling-stock of anti-telescoping design and construction; and, if not, will he introduce legislation to this end?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe number of passenger carrying vehicles owned by the railway companies in Great Britain on the 31st December last, was 51,465. It is not practicable to evolve any appliance 2071W which will prevent telescoping in all conditions in the event of a collision, but the matter is constantly before the companies, and a considerable proportion of the coaching stock built during recent years has been constructed with steel underframes. In addition, a considerable number of vehicles have been equipped recently with a special type of coupling and gangway designed with the same object. The matter is not one in respect of which I contemplate legislation