HC Deb 18 April 1988 vol 131 cc360-1W
40. Ms. Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department last made a study of the threat to passenger safety caused by the danger of fires on the London Underground.

Mr. David Mitchell

Fire is one of the risks to passenger safety that is monitored by the Department's Railway Inspectorate. Specific studies of this risk were made in connection with the inspectorate's formal inquiries into the underground fires at Finsbury Park (1976), Goodge Street (1981) and Bounds Green (1982). Published reports are available on these inquiries. Following the fire at Oxford Circus in 1984, London Underground Limited and the London fire brigade carried out a joint inquiry. The inspectorate has monitored the implementation of the inquiries' recommendations, which address wider issues of fire safety generally on the underground. The inspectorate also studies the reports of the annual fire prevention inspections carried out by the London fire brigade. Where new work is concerned, such as the Heathrow extension, the inspectorate requires an assurance that the fire authority is satisfied as to fire precautions before the works are opened to the public.

54. Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on safety standards on the London Underground.

Mr. David Mitchell

Safety standards on the London underground are primarily the responsibility of London Regional Transport. LRT and London Underground Ltd. have a statutory duty to observe the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act and, where applicable, they are also required to observe my Department's published railway construction and operation requirements. The chief inspecting officer of railways provides an annual commentary on the underground's safety record in his reports on railway safety in Great Britain, copies of which are in the Library. The record has been generally satisfactory. It would be wrong for me to make any comments on matters that are currently under investigation as a result of the King's Cross fire.

74. Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the chairman of London Regional Transport to discuss the performance of London Underground Limited.

Mr. David Mitchell

My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of London Regional Transport from time to time as and when the need arises.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the reduction in numbers and percentage of employees of London Underground Ltd. in the regional and telecommunications departments since 1984; what authorisations he has given to such reductions; and if any reference to such changes has been made by Her Majesty's inspectors of railways.

Mr. David Mitchell

Staffing both in aggregate and in particular departments is a matter for the boards of London Regional Transport and London Underground Ltd. The Department has no information about staffing levels in the areas referred to. Changes in those levels would not need to be referred to the Department in general or the railways inspectorate in particular.