§ 18. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what assurances he has received that steps will be taken to provide greater safety, 1177 for railway passengers in view of the recent report by Brigadier C. A. Langley. Inspecting Officer of Railways, on the accident to the night Aberdeen-to-London express on 7th March, 1954.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am assured that any train, whether passenger or freight, which may exceed the normal load of a single engine will now be assisted by another engine on the incline from Inverkeithing to the Forth Bridge. I would also refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave to him on 27th October.
§ Mr. HughesAre those the only steps that are being taken to ensure the safety of passengers in this place, where accidents have occurred on more than one occasion? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter and see that passengers are properly protected?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have looked into the matter very carefully. If the hon. and learned Member will study, not only this answer but the previous one, he will see that the main points made by the inspector of accidents have been met.
§ Mr. J. HarrisonWill not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the rail passenger services are the safest forms of transport in this country or in any other?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThey are pretty good.