§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the Inspector General of Railways to make studies of (a) all safety and operational aspects of the first two months of operation of the Docklands light railway and (b) the introduction of one-person operation on the Piccadilly line of the London underground; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe arrangements for one person operation on the Piccadilly line were examined and met the criteria jointly agreed between London Underground Limited and the Railway Inspectorate. The Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways receives reports of notifiable accidents on any railway, including the Docklands light railway, and investigates them as necessary, but the responsibility for the safe running and operation of all railways rests entirely with their managements. However, their safety of operation is kept under review and the Chief Inspecting Officer's latest annual report, for 1986, on the safety record of the railways in Great Britain is being published tomorrow. There is therefore no need for the special studies requested by the hon. Member.