HC Deb 26 January 1971 vol 810 cc85-6W
80. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether British Railways are required by him to submit reports on all incidents involving level crossings; what action he takes on the basis of such reports; and whether he is satisfied that, when an incident involves danger to life, it is in the public interest that the report in question should not be published.

Mr. Peyton

British Railways are required to report all accidents between trains and level crossing users, cases of trains striking level crossing gates, and those incidents where road vehicles come to rest on the railway. The reports are examined by the Department's Railway Inspectorate. Public Inquiries are held where it is considered that this is in the public interest. Reports of these Inquiries are published. I am not aware that the public interest suffers from non-publication of reports on the minor incidents.