HC Deb 24 May 1984 vol 60 cc459-60W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in the event of a possible radiation leak similar to that which was feared could have happened at Temple Mills, Leyton, railway yard on 12 April, what are the responsibilities of British Rail; and what it did during the 12 April incident.

Mr. David Mitchell

British Rail is responsible for the safe operation of the railways. To fulfil this responsibility it has, inter alia, procedures for the action rail staff should take in the event of any incident or suspicion of an incident on the railway involving dangerous goods. I understand from BR that these procedures were implemented on 12 April.

I explained to the hon. Gentleman in my letter of 8 May, that the suspicion that there might have been a leak from a flask was totally unfounded.