§ 8. Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to when the new Networker trains will be in use; and on which lines they will operate.
§ Mr. PortilloMy right hon. Friend approved the purchase of the first Networkers—77 diesel vehicles for lines out of Marylebone—last Tuesday. These units will enter service in 1990. British Rail hopes to begin operating the first electric Networkers by 1991 in south-east London and north-west Kent.
§ Mr. ArnoldDoes my hon. Friend accept that my constituents would be relieved finally to get a decision on the introduction of Networker trains on the north Kent line? Does he appreciate that they are well and truly fed-up with the dreadful conditions on commuter trains in north Kent?
While we are talking about better conditions, does my hon. Friend recognise that commuters not only in the Gravesham area, but throughout London, are concerned about security, especially in light of the disgraceful scenes over the weekend on the train from Bedford? Will my hon. Friend reassure us that efforts will be redoubled to avoid such security problems in future? Will he note that we take some comfort from the fact that at least one of the alleged perpetrators has now been apprehended?
§ Mr. PortilloI look forward to a proposal from British Rail for the Networkers, but I have told my hon. Friend what the position is.
A man has been charged in connection with the incident on the Bedford to King's Cross train at the weekend, and I understand that further arrests are expected. I understand that four men are in custody in connection with the Clapham Common stabbings and that six men have been arrested over the weekend in connection with the fight on the train in Scotland.
§ Mr. LordWhen considering these new Networker trains, and bearing in mind the increase in crime to which my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesham (Mr. Arnold) referred, will my hon. Friend take immediate steps to ensure that train drivers can be kept in permanent contact 11 by telephone with the stations along their route and the emergency services? In this age of modern sophisticated telecommunications equipment, it is ridiculous that we cannot have this obvious safeguard for passengers and crew.
§ Mr. PortilloIt is certainly British Rail policy to equip new trains with radio communications for drivers and to fit that equipment to some existing trains. The Bedford to King's Cross train involved in the incident was equipped with a radio. The driver was able to radio ahead and the police were then able to meet the train at King's Cross station.
§ Mr. SpearingIn respect of the new Networker multiple unit electric trains, will the hon. Gentleman speak to his right hon. Friend about the future standards of seating? Is he aware that some of the new trains from other London termini, though they are faster and perhaps smoother than the stock which they are replacing, have less seating room and are less comfortable for travellers? Is that not a step backwards? Will the hon. Gentleman look into the seating design of the proposed Networker stock?
§ Mr. PortilloI will look into that matter, but I believe that the hon. Gentleman is being a little grudging. We are talking about a major reinvestment, which will constitute a major improvement in the travelling circumstances of many thousands of people coming into London in the rush hour.
§ Sir Trevor SkeetWill my hon. Friend the Minister bear in mind that security is the most important aspect for people travelling from Bedford? They will not use the line at all if their lives are not secure. Will my hon. Friend assure us that British Rail intends to adopt some innovative measures? Whether British Rail accepts the idea of Guardian Angels on the trains or considers any other method, will my hon. Friend assure us that some method is adopted?
§ Mr. PortilloMy hon. Friend will agree that it is most important that criminals should believe that they are likely to be apprehended. I am sure that he will welcome the news that progress is being made with the investigation. My hon. Friend will be aware that the line has not had a record of serious crime hitherto, so the incident took the police by surprise. Nonetheless, they have reacted with great swiftness to an extremely serious incident.
§ Mr. PrescottWill the new Networker trains have guards? That was the element which was so obviously missing in the deplorable Bedford line incident at the weekend. Does he accept that the cuts in staff and police levels have contributed to encouraging an increase in violence on our railway system, with the result that the steamer gangs see our rail system as a soft touch? Will the Minister now tell British Rail that it will forgo the £200 million cut in public subsidies this year? Will he ensure that the moneys are redirected to increasing staffing levels and safety standards to improve security on our railway system, thus making an increase in safety standards a higher priority than the saving of money?
§ Mr. PortilloThe Networkers will be one-man operated. They will be associated with the new radio equipment I have mentioned, which is extremely important in combating crime. There is no evidence that there is more crime on one-person operated trains than on 12 other trains. When I took the opinion of a senior police officer this morning on whether any difference would have been made if there had been a guard on the train, his reply was, "The guard would have taken a serious beating."
§ Mr. JackMy hon. Friend will be aware that the Networker type of train has sliding electrically operated doors. The same type of doors contributed to an accident that resulted in the death of an elderly lady at St. Anne's railway station. Will my hon. Friend undertake that he will consider carefully the representations that I have made to him for a full railway inspectorate inquiry into that matter and into other safety matters that involve sliding doors?
§ Mr. PortilloI am taking extremely seriously the matter on which my hon. Friend has corresponded with me. I am discussing it with the railway inspectorate.