§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a Cardiff to Portsmouth passenger train collided with a Victoria to Portsmouth passenger train at Portsmouth and Southsea Station on Wednesday, 15th December; and whether he will set up an inquiry into the adequacy of the automatic signalling system in operation in the area.
§ Mr. PeytonAt about 1.20 p.m. on 15th December, the 9.15 a.m. Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour diesel-hauled passenger train collided with the rear of the 11.02 a.m. Victoria to Portsmouth four-coach electric multiple unit passenger train which was standing in the Down platform of Portsmouth and Southsea High Level Station. Passengers were getting into and out of the standing train at the moment of impact.
Total acreage of derelict land at 31st December, 1970 Acreage included in Col. (1) justifying treatment Acreage of derelict land restored in the period 1st January, 1967 to 31st December, 1970 (1) (2) (3) Bolton County Borough Council … 300 278 43 Farnworth Borough Council … 55 55 — Little Lever Urban District Council … 31 30 — Turton Urban District Council … 232 161 — Westhoughton Urban District Council … 149 140 5
§ Mr. Laurance Reedasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the no-ceiling policy on grants for derelict land clearance applies to the whole country or only to priority areas.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe statements that there will be no restraint on expenditure on derelict land reclamation in 1972–73 refer only to the priority areas, that is the development areas, intermediate areas and derelict land clearance areas.
§ Mr. Laurance Reedasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the official figures for derelict land in this country includes such land held by British Rail, the National Coal Board and the Ministry of Defence; and how much is held by each body.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe surveys include derelict land which is no longer in use
358WThe rear bogie of the Victoria to Portsmouth train was derailed. Nine passengers, three railway staff travelling as passengers, the guards of both trains, and the driver of the colliding train suffered minor injuries or shock and were taken to hospital. One lady passenger was detained but discharged next day.
A public inquiry into the collision has been ordered and will be held in Portsmouth on 6th January 1972. It will cover all aspects of the accident including the signalling. The report will be published.