§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that research undertaken by individual train operating companies will be disseminated to all other train operating companies if it contains important safety implications. [5602]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe results of research commissioned by an individual train operating company would normally be the company's intellectual property and is therefore disclosed at the company's discretion. I understand, however, that if the results of any research are known to have wider safety implications for the railway industry, the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate would expect the information to be communicated to these companies by those who commissioned the work.
The Health and Safety Commission's Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) is developing proposals to ensure that key health and safety information continues to reach all those who need it.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of incidents in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97 when contractors have been directed to work on the wrong track, similar to that referred to in paragraph 75 of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority report 1995–96. [5670]
§ Ms JacksonThere have been no other reported incidents similar to that reported in paragraph 75 of the Safety Authority Annual Report for 1995–96.