Brigadier-General Brownasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that at least eight children have been fatally injured by coming into contact with the live rail on the Southern Railway in the last 12 months, he will introduce legislation to compel railway companies to erect new protective fencing at once, and not allow them to electrify new areas in country districts until the proper fencing has been erected?
§ Mr. BurginIn accordance with the statement which I made in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 3rd November, 1937, the Southern Railway Company are providing special fencing in places where trespassing by children is prevalent or is likely to occur. This fencing is, so far as practicable, provided before services are introduced on newly electrified lines. It would not be correct to assume that all the eight children referred to in the question got on to the line owing to inadequate fencing. In the circumstances I see no justification for introducing legislation.