§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they expect the same standards of safety for public transport in Northern Ireland as the rest of the United Kingdom; and why Northern Ireland Railways is not subject to the same rail safety arrangements as the rest of the United Kingdom through the Railway Inspectorate. [HL2275]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonGovernment recognise the need for similar standards of rail safety to apply in Northern Ireland as those in the rest of the United Kingdom. They are taking steps to bring Northern Ireland into line, where appropriate, with Great Britain in relation to rail safety legislation and the Department for Regional Development is currently in discussion with the GB Health and Safety Executive with a view to developing a closer working relationship with Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the comments of the Deputy Prime Minister, following the recent Paddington crash, that slam door carriages must have electric locks fitted by 2004, apply to Northern Ireland Railways. [HL2276]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Deputy Prime Minister's comments do not apply to Northern Ireland Railways. However, the Government acknowledge the need for Northern Ireland Railways' slam door carriages either to be replaced or to have electric locks fitted as soon as possible. The timescale cannot be determined until the outcome of this year's Spending Review is known.