Rail Passenger Safety

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Transport and the Regions – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 9 June 1998.

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Photo of Claire Ward Claire Ward Labour, Watford 12:00, 9 June 1998

If he will make a statement on his policies to improve rail passenger safety. [43262]

Photo of Glenda Jackson Glenda Jackson Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Environment)

Railways are already one of the safest forms of transport but we cannot be complacent. We look to the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, as the safety regulators for the railways, to use their advisory and enforcement powers as appropriate to see that rail safety standards are maintained and improved where necessary.

Photo of Claire Ward Claire Ward Labour, Watford

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Does she agree that one of the most important lessons that we must learn from the tragic accidents on the railways in recent years, including the accident in Watford in 1996, is that we should put in place a system that prevents trains from going through red danger signals? Does she agree that the safety of passengers must be paramount and that they must have confidence in the recommendations resulting from any inquiries. Will this Government—unlike the previous Administration—translate those lessons into law?

Photo of Glenda Jackson Glenda Jackson Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Environment)

My hon. Friend will be aware that, on 21 May, the Health and Safety Commission launched a consultation on a draft regulation that would require train protection systems to be fitted to all trains and at all key junctions by 1 January 2004. The consultation period ends on 21 August. My hon. Friend also referred to the crash that took place in her constituency. The findings of that inquiry will be furnished to the inspector who will be holding the Southall inquiry. My hon. Friend is quite right to say that safety is of prime importance, not only to passengers' sense of security, but to the Government.

Photo of Mr Nick Hawkins Mr Nick Hawkins Conservative, Surrey Heath

Will the Minister confirm that she and her officials will be in touch with the German authorities to find out whether there are any lessons to be learned from last week's tragedy, in case there are implications for the operation of our railway system?

Photo of Glenda Jackson Glenda Jackson Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Environment)

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Health and Safety Executive has already made contact with its German counterpart and will be kept informed of everything that is discovered from that appalling accident. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport sent his condolences to the German Minister, which I am sure the House and the country would endorse.