HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc520-2W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many companies have applied for, and how many have been granted, money under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 to help pay for the cost of private railway sidings, to transport hazardous substances such as liquefied petroleum gas or chlorine by rail instead of by road.

Mr. Horam

Three schemes, involving five companies, for the rail transport of dangerous substances have been the subject of applications for grant under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974, and two of these, involving three companies, have received grant.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total number of incidents on (a) roads and (b) railways in the United Kingdom involving liquefied petroleum gas and chlorine over the last 10 years, stating how many people have been injured and killed; and when he expects to introduce regulations affecting the strengthening and the inspection of road tankers carrying these loads.

Mr. William Rodgers

I regret that the information for road incidents is not available. During the past 10 years, there have been no train accidents on British railways involving the spillage or escape of either liquefied petroleum gas or chlorine and no person was killed or injured in any incident connected with their conveyance by rail.

Regulations to control the transport of all dangerous goods by road are being drawn up by the Health and Safety Executive. They will include constructional requirements and inspection. It is hoped that a consultation document will be published later this year.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of (a) liquefied petroleum gas and (b) chlorine is transported by road as opposed to rail within the United Kingdom.

Mr. William Rodgers

About 75 per cent. of liquefied petroleum gas is carried by road and 25 per cent. by rail; for chlorine the proportions are 50:50.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up a committee of suitably qualified persons to review the arrangements for transporting hydrocarbon gases by road; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

No. The Health and Safety Executive is already preparing regulations to control the transport by road of all dangerous goods including hydrocarbon gases.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of total movements in the United Kingdom of liquefied petroleum gas is conveyed (a) by road, (b) by rail and (c) by pipeline.

Mr. William Rodgers

Full information is not available on the amounts transported by road or pipeline. It is known that at least 1,350,000 tonnes of propane, butane and propylene are transported by road. Approximately 331,000 tonnes are transported by rail.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the 50,000 tons of propylene moved annually in the United Kingdom, other than by pipeline, is moved by road and rail, respectively.

Mr. William Rodgers

I refer the hon. Member to my answer on Monday 17th July to the hon. Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant).—[Vol. 954, c.112.]