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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 2 November 1999
ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
In-vehicle Technology
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research and developments have been made on in-vehicle technology to prevent law breaking. [94508]
Mr. Hill: There is a considerable quantity of research being undertaken both in Industry and Government to investigate the benefits that can be obtained from developments in in-vehicle technology to prevent law breaking. Advances in electronics and telematics promise to make measures for vehicle control (e.g. separation distance), identification and location both feasible and cost effective. One particular project sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is looking into a system of Intelligent Speed Adaptation which would be able to control the speed of vehicles automatically to prevent them exceeding speed limits.
Sellafield MOX Plant
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will be in a position to decide on the future of the Sellafield MOX plant; [95918]
- (2) if he will publish the outcome of the latest consultation on the Sellafield MOX plant. [95919]
Mr. Mullin: The consultation on the economic case for the Sellafield MOX plant ended on 23 July 1999. An announcement of the Ministers' decisions will be made following careful consideration of all the responses.
Rail Safety
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received on signals passed at danger since taking office; when they were received; and what action followed from them. [95935]
Mr. Prescott [holding answer 26 October 1999]: Since taking office I have received a great deal of information on signals passed at danger. This information led me to approve the regulations recommended by the Health and Safety Commission to require the fitting of train protection systems.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how the remit of the new railway safety body proposed to replace Railtrack's Safety remit will differ from Railtrack's safety remit; [95936]
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Mr. Prescott
[holding answer 26 October 1999]: We have not proposed a new railway safety body. We are considering all options for how the work of Railtrack's safety and standards directorate might best be carried out.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he first asked for a report on signals passed at danger. [95937]
Mr. Prescott
[holding answer 26 October 1999]: Immediately after the last election I asked for advice on all aspects of rail safety. This was received in June 1997 and included information on measures to stop signals being passed at danger. After discussions with the Health and Safety Commission I made it clear that they should bring forward any formal proposals on (inter alia) automatic train protection that they considered necessary. I signed the resulting regulations in July. In September the HSE announced the result of their audit of the increase in signals passed at danger and 22 specific actions that they required the industry to progress.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he was first informed that the number of red railway signals passed at danger was increasing. [95938]
Mr. Prescott
[holding answer 26 October 1999]: On 9 August the Chief Inspector of Railways informed Ministers of the provisional rail safety statistics for 1998-99, which included the 8 per cent. rise in signals passed at danger. HSE published the statistics on 12 August.
Mr. John Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require maximum capacity limits to be set for passenger train coaches on safety grounds. [96104]
Mr. Hill:
Research after the Cannon Street accident in 1991 and more recent research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirms that train overcrowding is not primarily a safety issue but one of passenger discomfort. There is no evidence to suggest that train overcrowding is in itself dangerous, or actually causes accidents. HSE is determined to ensure that, safety is not compromised, as part of improving the railways for passengers. HSE gives high priority to minimising safety concerns in the design of trains arising from congestion at stations.
Mr. Woodward:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which dates signals passed at danger statistics were received by Ministers since September 1998; and what response was given to each notification. [95985]
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 27 October 1999]: Responsibility for providing railway safety statistics (including SPADs) rests with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The Chief Inspector of Railways at the HSE informed Ministers of the annual statistics for 1997-98 (which showed a fall in SPADs) on 7 December 1998. A departmental press notice was published on 9 December 1998 which stressed the need for the railway industry to
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improve the safety culture operating in the industry and looked to HSE to use their enforcement powers against companies which skimped on their safety obligations.
On 9 August 1999 the Chief Inspector of Railways informed Ministers of the provisional rail safety statistics for 1998-99, which included an 8 per cent. rise in SPADs. The HSE statistics were published on 12 August. On 30 July the Deputy Prime Minister had signed regulations requiring the fitting of the train protection and warning system to cut the incidence of SPADs. The regulations were laid in the House on 10 August.
Mr. Austin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received of safety issues concerning the 20.42 Connex train to Dartford via Greenwich on 21 October; and if he will make a statement. [96852]
Mr. Hill:
The HSE is aware of the incident on 21 October where the driver of the 20.42 Connex train from Charing Cross to Dartford accepted the route set by the signaller which directed his train onto the line through New Cross instead of going to Greenwich. All the signals were clear and there was therefore no risk to passengers' safety. Implications for the competencies of safety critical staff are being examined.
Mr. Austin:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what reports he has received that the lunar lights on the North Kent line at Charlton are obscured by foliage; and if he will make a statement; [96854]
Mr. Hill:
Although no report has been made to HSE, I understand that on 7 October a Connex train took the wrong route at Charlton because the white route indication lights on the signal were reportedly obscured by foliage. On passing the junction, the driver realised the route had been wrongly set, and under instruction from the signaller, set the train back behind the signal to allow the route to be reset correctly. HSE will now take this matter up with the train operating company.
Mr. Hilary Benn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he proposes to put in place in relation to his proposals for National Air Traffic Services to ensure that staff will be able to speak freely about issues relating to safety. [96187]
Mr. Mullin:
Staff of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) are already given protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Pursuant to the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order (SI 1999-1549) the CAA is prescribed as a body to which a worker may make a protected disclosure in respect of aviation safety. The CAA has nominated its Secretary and Legal Adviser to be its point of contact. He will protect the complainer's anonymity, while ensuring that the complaint is passed to the relevant regulator. A trade union official who raised safety issues as part of his duties would also enjoy additional protection through the Employment Rights Act 1996.
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(2) what plans he has to re-employ Railtrack safety regulatory staff at the new railway safety body. [95934]
(2) what reports he has received regarding recent incidents where Connex trains from Dartford to Cannon Street have taken the wrong route; and if he will make a statement. [96853]
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