HC Deb 26 May 1970 vol 801 cc1711-2

Mr. Peter M. Jackson (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement about the train crash which occurred last Wednesday night on the Manchester—Hadfield line.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Frederick Mulley)

At 23.05 on 20th May, 1970, the second coach of the 22.45 three-coach electric multiple-unit passenger train from Manchester (Piccadilly) to Hadfield became derailed at slow speed on a facing connection a few hundred yards short of Guide Bridge.

This coach turned over on to its side.

The fire and ambulance services were quickly on the scene. A number of passengers were trapped and I regret to inform the House that two passengers were killed and 13 injured, four of them seriously.

I am sure that it would be the wish of all right hon. and hon. Members to join me in extending our sympathy to the relatives of those concerned.

An Inspecting Officer of Railways visited the site after the accident and I have ordered an inquiry into it. Present plans are that the inquiry will be held in Manchester on Tuesday, 2nd June.

Mr. Jackson

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his statement and associating myself with the expression of sym pathy, may I press upon him the need for early publication of the report by the inspecting officer and ask that the recommendations of the report, if any, will be acted upon with the minimum of delay?

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that some of the reports of inspectors with respect to earlier rail disasters have taken an inordinate amount of time to appear?

Mr. Mulley

It is a little early to give a date for the publication of a report from an inquiry that has still to be held, but I will take note of what my hon. Friend has said, that the report should be made available at the earliest possible opportunity. It will be a public inquiry and the evidence presented will be available at the time.

Mr. Sheldon

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there have been some changes in the use of this line which serves a number of areas, including Ashton-under-Lyne? Would he consider what changes might be in order, even before publication of the report, because of certain anxieties connected with this?

Mr. Mulley

I do not know of any particular anxiety to which my hon. Friend refers. Obviously, we are all concerned at an accident, but the railways' safety record is impressive. I understand that there has only been one passenger fatality on average over the last 10 years for every 145 million passenger journeys. I do not know of any particular reason for looking at the matter ahead of the inquiry which would establish the cause. Obviously if, as a result of the inquiry, action is necessary, I will communicate with the Railways Board to that effect.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that, while the Railways' safety record is extremely good, there has over the last few years been a very disturbing increase in the number of train derailments? Does he see any sign of the position improving?

Mr. Mulley

One of the problems has been the use of continuous welded rail in hot weather. Special steps are being taken to deal with this. I understand that in this case the rail was jointed so that possibility can be ruled out.

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