§ Sir Keith SpeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety and structural integrity of the older rolling stock used on lines with third rail electrification following recent railway accidents in the south-east. [28321]
§ Mr. WattsThere is no question of older rolling stock being inherently unsafe. Part I of the report of the inquiry into the recent accident near Cowden, Kent, published last week, recommended a programme of research into the practicability of improving the crashworthiness of certain designs of rolling stock. British Rail is considering this recommendation and will respond to the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position on the replacement of rolling stock on Network SouthEast. [28449]
§ Mr. WattsFollowing the series of Networker and Networker Turbo orders of recent years, 164 Networker Express vehicles are currently under construction by ABB for replacement of rolling stock in the former NSE area. I understand that, in response to BR's recent616W invitation to tender for further replacement vehicles, non-compliant responses were received. The three passenger rolling stock leasing companies, which are to be sold later this year, will seek commercial opportunities for the further replacement of stock as it becomes life-expired.