HC Deb 03 March 1980 vol 980 cc99-100W
Mr. Alan Clark

asked the Minister of Transport (1) why he failed to supply to the House a copy of the report by his inspectors on the Taunton railway accident;

(2) why he omitted the courtesy of providing copies of the Taunton rail accident report to hon. Members whose constituents suffered death and injury on that occasion.

Mr. Fowler

Copies of the Taunton reports were placed in the Library of the House on Wednesday afternoon and sent to my right hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann). Copies were also sent to passengers who gave evidence at the public hearing, and others involved in the accident who requested them.

It is not the usual practice of my Department on publication of a report such as this to send copies to the large number of hon. Members who might have constituents who were involved in the accident, but I shall of course ensure that a copy is sent to my hon. Friend.