§ 90 and 91. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the extent to which the added stress of high speed increases the strain on railway lines and rolling stock; and what steps she plans to minimise those strains and so minimise the risk of railway accidents;
(2) if she will give a general direction to British Railways to limit the speed of trains in order to minimise the strain imposed on both the permanent way and the ancillary rolling stock.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe British Railways Board tells me that the increase in the stresses in track and rolling stock at high speed is marginal and is allowed326W for in the maintenance of existing equipment and the design of new equipment.
The regulation of the speed of trains is a matter for the Board and it would not be appropriate to issue a general direction.