§ 2.38 P.M.
LORD CLYDESMUIRMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the following Question of which I have given private notice—namely, whether His Majesty's Government have any statement to make about the fire on an express train near Huntingdon on July 14, and whether the recommendations of the report on a similar accident at Beattock Summit on June 8 1950, are being acted on to ensure the safety of passengers.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH)My Lords, I am grateful to, the noble Lord for giving me this opportunity to make a statement about this rain fire, and to express on behalf of His Majesty's Government, sympathy with those who have been injured and with their relatives. On Saturday, July 14, at approximately 5 p.m., a fire broke out at the front of 903 the 3.45 p.m. express passenger train from King's Cross to Leeds, when it was travelling at about 30 miles per hour between Huntingdon and Abbots Ripton: the train was stopped when the guard applied the brake. By that time the third and fourth twin coaches were not involved, but the heat prevented the guard from dividing the train in rear of the second. He therefore uncoupled in rear of the fourth coach, and the first four coaches were drawn forward, away from the rest of the train, and were eventually burnt out. Nine passengers were detained in hospital with burns and other injuries. One has since been discharged; the remaining eight were reported this morning to be going on well. Twelve others were treated on the spot for minor injuries, and later continued their journey.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, but an inspecting officer of railways has already visited the site and has examined the burnt-out coaches. He will open his formal inquiry on Friday, July 20. Until his investigations are complete and his report has been published, I am sure that the noble Lord will appreciate that it would not be right for me to make any further statement.
With regard to the second part of the Question, the recommendations contained in the report on the fire at Beattock Summit on June 8, 1950, have, with three exceptions, been accepted by the Railway Executive and in so far as time has permitted, are in process of implementation. The three exceptions, which the Railway Executive have not accepted, are: first, that, in the new construction of sleeping cars, an intermediate external door should be provided in the centre of the coach on the corridor side; secondly, that in the new open (centre corridor) coaches, external doors should be fitted in the centre on both sides, in addition to the doors already provided; thirdly, that a standard fire-fighting procedure should be introduced for adoption in the event of a train catching fire, so that each member of the train crew and dining car staff would know exactly what he should do. These three points are still under discussion between the inspecting officers of the railways and the Railway Executive.
LORD CLYDESMUIRMy Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for his detailed answer, which deserves careful study? If, after I have considered it, there are further points to which I wish to return, perhaps I may approach the noble Lord again. In the meantime, may I associate myself with the expression of sympathy with those who were injured and also add an expression of thankfulness that there was no loss of life in this accident?
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHI very much appreciate what the noble Lord has said, especially the latter part of his remarks. I shall be happy at all times to give the noble Lord, and the House, all the information that I can properly give.