§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of LPG is carried by road and rail, respectively, in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. William RodgersI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of toxic and inflammable chemicals are carried by road and rail, respectively, in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. William RodgersI regret that the information is not available in the form requested. The proportions of petroleum products sent by road and rail are respectively 41 per cent. and 26 per cent.; and the remainder goes by pipeline. Proportions for chemicals are 86 per cent. and 14 per cent.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the number of accidents in the United Kingdom during the past five years involving the conveyance of LPG, toxic and inflammable chemicals (a) by road and (b) by other means of transportation.
§ Mr. William RodgersI regret that the information is not available. During the last five year period, there have been two railway accidents involving toxic products, one involving inflammable chemicals and none involving LPG.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the number of accidents involved in the transportation of ethylene and propylene.
§ Mr. William RodgersI regret that the information is not available.
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made, and over what period, to the Health and Safety Executive, about the need to formulate proposals for the regulation of dangerous loads carried by road; what reasons he has been given for delay; and if he will make a statement.
112W
§ Mr. William RodgersMinisterial representations to the Health and Safety Executive were first made over two years ago. In February 1977 I asked the chairman for a definite date by which proposals would be available and in December 1977 I expressed grave anxiety at continuing delay. Last month I reminded the chairman of my anxiety and asked for a firm asurance that I would receive proposals for tanker labelling very soon. I understand that delay has been due to a number of factors, including the need to widen the scope of the regulations and difficulties with consultations. There is also the question of priorities, given the range of responsibilities of the Health and Safety Executive. Following the Spanish liquid gas accident, I have asked the chairman for a full report and made clear once again that proposals are urgent and overdue. I am sure that the chairman is fully aware of my views and is anxious to help to resolve the matter.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of vehicles in England and Wales currently transporting liquified propylene gas and the quantity of such gas carried.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe Health and Safety Executive estimate that there are normally between six and 10 road vehicles transporting liquefied propylene gas in the United Kingdom at any one time. Approximately 12,000 tons per year are carried by road and an additional 38,000 tons by rail.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the present safety regulations concerning the transport of liquefied propylene gas and other dangerous substances by road or rail in the United Kingdom; if he is satisfied that the regulations are adequate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe transport of dangerous goods, including liquefied propylene gas, within the United Kingdom on journeys originating or ending abroad is governed by the provisions of the relevant international agreements. For 113W domestic journeys, the transport of dangerous goods is subject to the general provisions of section 3 of the Health and safety at Work, etc. Act 1974; to the specific regulations made under the Explosives Act 1875, the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, as extended, the Radioactive Substance Act 1948, and the Poisons Act 1972; to the relevant railway regulations; and to the regulations imposed by the firms concerned.
The current statutory regulations for domestic journeys do not specifically cover liquefied propylene, among other dangerous substances and I do not regard this as satisfactory. The Health and Safety Executive is preparing proposals for comprehensive regulations in accordance with sections 11 and 50 of the Act of 1974.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of road accidents in the last five years involving vehicles carrying explosives or other dangerous substances in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. William RodgersI regret that full information is not available. Accidents involving explosives and other named dangerous goods are required to be reported by the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 only when loss of life or personal injury is caused. During the last five years four accidents involving explosives and 52 involving other dangerous goods have been reported.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he is making to ensure that foreign vehicles transporting liquefied propylene gas or other dangerous substances into the United Kingdom comply with all necessary safety precautions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersAll foreign vehicles carrying dangerous substances entering the United Kingdom must comply with the requirements of the European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR) and, for the sea crossing, the requirements of the international maritime dangerous goods code (IMDG). I am satisfied that these requirements, as brought up to date from time to time to114W provide for new dangerous substances and other matters, give adequate protection at present, but I am having the matter kept under review. Random checks are conducted on a regular basis by the Department's vehicle examiners.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Health and Safety Executive will now take steps to gather information about the number of road tankers carrying propylene, propane, butane and other liquefied petroleum gases moving daily on the roads of Canvey Island and the quantities involved.
§ Mr. William RodgersA nationwide study is already being undertaken into the vulnerability of road tankers in accidents on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive. This study involves the collection of statistics on the number of tankers and the quantities involved. At present it is limited to tankers carrying petroleum spirit but I understand that consideration will be given to extending the project to include liquid petroleum gases.
§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Transport under what EEC regulations a member country of the Community may ban the transport vehicle of another from entering its frontiers without warning; and whether the will take steps to have this issue raised in the Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. William RodgersNone, so far as I am aware. However, bilateral agreements between Governments usually contain provision for such bans to be imposed when operators of one country have broken the laws of the other. I see no case for raising this subject in the Council of Ministers.