§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will accept as a regular procedure that any major transport accident which involves either large-scale loss of life or has significant implications for transport policy should normally lead to the setting up of a public inquiry. [15905]
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 24 March 1995]: Ministers must be free to consider the most appropriate form of inquiry, taking into account the circumstances of the accident and its severity. The purpose of any inquiry must be to establish the facts and cause of the accident, to evaluate what lessons can be learnt and to make recommendations to avoid future recurrence. Technical inquiries, such as those by the independent marine accident investigation branch and the air accident investigation branch have the advantage of being carried out by experienced and expert investigators. A public inquiry is one option that Ministers will consider following a major transport accident but we do not believe that it would be appropriate or effective for this to be accepted as a regular procedure.