§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the statutory provision, with regard to trespass on railway land and property, and related offences, consequent upon the passing of the Railways Act 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe offence of trespass on railway land and property, and related offences, are covered by sections 54 and 57 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949. These sections apply to Railtrack by virtue of paragraph 9 of schedule 8 to the Railways Act 1993.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he received from the British Transport Police Federation in September 1993 on the effect of the Railways Act 1993 on offences relating to trespassing on railway property.
§ Mr. FreemanNone. The federation's chairman wrote to me on 2 September raising a number of issues which were subsequently discussed at a meeting on 8 September, but we did not touch upon the specific question of trespass.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if British Rail will prosecute a trespass on railway lines by the Garth and South Berkshire hunt on Saturday 12 March.
§ Mr. FreemanAt 12.58 on Saturday 12 March, a British Rail train driver reported hounds on the line at Mortimer, south of Reading. The driver of the next train through at 13.02 reported a clear track. I understand that no further action is proposed.