HC Deb 13 May 1959 vol 605 cc1245-6
48. Mr. Brockway

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement on the railway accident at Slough on 1st May, 1959.

Mr. Watkinson

At 7.25 p.m. on Friday, 1st May, the 1.5 p.m. express train from Pembroke Dock to Paddington was approaching Slough station at about 70 m.p.h. when one of the bogies near the middle of the train was derailed when it passed over a broken rail. The last six coaches were completely derailed about 300 yards further on and one turned over on its side. The coupling parted between the third and fourth coaches and the front portion ran forward for another half a mile until stopped by the vacuum brake which came on automatically as a result of the parting. I am glad to say that although the train was crowded there were very few casualties—six persons were taken to hospital with minor injuries and fifteen others suffered from slight cuts or shock. The injured passengers received prompt aid and the others were conveyed to Paddington in a relief train.

The permanent way was seriously damaged, but by 6 p.m. on Sunday, 3rd May, repairs were completed appointed the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways to hold an inquiry, which he opened on Monday. His investigations are not yet complete, but his report will be published in due course.

Mr. Brockway

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that very full statement, may I ask whether the inquiry which is taking place will be not merely into the causes of the accident but into the causes of the very happy event of so few casualties? Is it not the case that the fact that the train was equipped with buckeye couplings prevented the coaches from being scattered and turning over? If this is the case, will the right hon. Gentleman seek to extend throughout the whole of our railway system a device which prevents loss of life in this way?

Mr. Watkinson

As the hon. Gentleman knows, my Chief Inspecting Officers of Railways have very wide terms of reference, and their reports can make recommendations to the Commission, and customarily do so. I do not think the hon. Gentleman is wrong in his estimate of what saved a great many lives. It shows how the railway modernisation plan may well save lives as well as improve the railway system.