§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if her Department will conduct an investigation into the number and thoroughness of safety checks made by Northern Ireland Railways; and if she will make a statement. [49980]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyOn 7 July 1998 my noble Friend Lord Dubs, Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland, announced the appointment of Mr. Christopher Hall, one of Her Majesty's Principal Inspector of Railways to review the conduct and outcome of the current NIR inquiries into 3 recent railways accidents in Northern Ireland and to make recommendation on the further steps, if any, which may need to be taken to address identified safety deficiencies.
The Minister also announced that Northern Ireland Railways would be commissioning a wider safety scrutiny of NIR operations under terms of reference to be agreed with HM Railway Inspectorate. A senior Railways Inspector will help oversee the wider scrutiny which will include NIR's safety procedures and checks. The main findings and recommendations of the inquiry and the NIR audit will be made public.
I have arranged for a copy of the terms of reference of the inquiry to be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions the Department of Environment is taking to acquire additional funding for Northern Ireland Railways under the Private Finance Initiative. [49979]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Department of the Environment is examining with Northern Ireland Railways, the Department of Finance and Personnel and HM Treasury the desirability and practicability of a Private Finance Initiative solution for the replacement of suburban rolling stock and for the provision of integrated bus and rail ticketing and related services.
This consideration is ongoing.