§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the policy of his Department in seeking to ensure safety on British Rail.
§ Mr. PortilloResponsibility for safety of operation lies with the British Railways board. The Department's railway inspectorate has certain statutory functions, principally the inspection and approval of new works on behalf of my right hon. Friend, and the monitoring of standards required by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Both contribute to the overall maintenance of high safety standards.