§ Mr. Wakefieldasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (I) whether he is aware that the guard of the Great Western Railway Company's train carrying mail from London to Penzance which caught fire recently did not know of the fire until the train pulled up; and what means of communication are available between the guard of the train and the engine driver and those responsible for signalling the train;
(2) whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway Company's mail from London to Penzance caught fire near Twyford on Wednesday, 7th July, and that many bags of mail were destroyed; that fire engines were unable to get close enough to attend the blaze and only after considerable delay did a fire-fighting train arrive with pumps, chemical extinguishers and other apparatus; that in the meantime severe traffic delay occurred; and will be consider avoiding similar delays in future by having aircraft available for dropping necessary supplies by parachute quickly on the spot?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe train had the usual means of communication, but unfortunately neither the driver nor the guard knew that a fire had broken out. The fire was first observed by a signalman, who stopped the train at the nearest signal. It was unfortunate that at this point there was no road access to the line, but I understand that the railway fire-fighting train arrived promptly and operated efficiently. I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that the traffic delays were less serious than might have been expected. I am afraid my hon. Friend's suggestion about the use of aircraft is not practicable at present, but I will bear it in mind for the future.