§ 66. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement indicating 37W what the experience of his inspectors of accidents has shown to be the most economical way to run railway trains as regards safety; what is the degree of increased risk of accident by running railway trains at high speeds as contrasted with the comparatively smaller risk of accident by running railway trains at smaller speeds; and what is the ratio between speed and risk of accident.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe experience of the Inspecting Officers of Railways does not suggest that there is direct relation between speed and risk of accident on the railways. This is no doubt because railway engineers and operators (who traditionally demand wide safety margins) meet the demands of speed by raising standards of construction, maintenance and operation, and because the operating staffs respond by increased alertness.
§ 67. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many railway accidents during the last 20 years have been found to he caused by the effects of heat operating to buckle the rails or otherwise impair the permanent way or rolling stock; how many of these accidents were caused or contributed to by the high speed of the trains; where all these accidents occurred; and what human injuries were caused thereby.
§ Mr. WatkinsonDuring the last twenty years there were five serious accidents caused by the heat of the day. All were derailments due to distortion of the rails. The accidents were at Bletchley, Wath Road, Merstham Quarry Tunnel, Tollerton and Abington. Eight persons were killed and 135 were injured. Speed contributed in the sense that the accidents might not have occurred if the trains had been travelling very slowly.