§ Mr. Bagierasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway sidings have been opened and how many closed in each year since 1974 to date.
§ Mr. William RodgersI understand from the British Railways Board that the figures for private railway sidings are as follows:
Number opened Number closed 1974 56 75 1975 22 113 1976 26 104 1977 28 135 1978 to date 14 48 British Rail's own terminals and marshalling yards have not been included in the above figures.
SPILLAGES FROM ROAD TANKERS OR BY ROAD IN SMALL CONTAINERS: AND FROM RAILWAY TANKERS 1978 up to 30th Nobember 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 Road Rail Road Rail Road Rail Road Rail Road Rail Spillages 2* 2 6* 10 17* 4 9* 3 7* 6 Injured 2 Nil 7 1 15 Nil 37 Nil 31 Nil Killed Nil Nil 2 Nil 9 Nil 3 Nil 1 Nil * Accidents reported under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 which are those including loss of life or personal injury during the conveyance of prescribed hazardous substances. The reports on which the above figures are based do not show whether the injuries or deaths were caused by a traffic accident in which the vehicles concerned may have been involved, or by the spillage. No distinction is drawn between spillages from large road tankers and those from small units.