§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, due to the fact that following an accident on 236W 14th December 1972 at Rayners Lane Station it was stated at the coroner's inquest that the motorman concerned had been found to have a blood alcohol level of 91 milligrams per cent. and also that the Railway Inspectorate report on the accident did not include any reference to this fact, he will ensure that evidence concerning the alcohol factor should always be taken into account at an inquiry applicable to London Transport in the same way as it is in respect of British Railways accidents.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe accident inquiry procedure in the case of accidents on London Transport railways is exactly the same as for accidents on British Railways. Such inquiries are held under the provisions of the Regulation of Railways Act 1871. The conduct of the inquiry, the accident report and the opinions expressed in it are the personal responsibility of the inspector appointed to hold the inquiry, and the evidence that he adduces is that which he considers necessary to establish the cause of the accident and to enable him to decide whether there are any steps that should be taken in the interest of public safety to prevent any recurrence.