HC Deb 13 June 1985 vol 80 cc530-1W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates he received the reports by London Regional Transport and of the London fire brigade into the Oxford Circus fire of 23 November 1984.

Mr. Ridley

London Regional Transport completed a preliminary report in December 1984. The London fire brigade's report was submitted to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services in February 1985. Copies of these reports were received by the Railway Inspectorate in my Department in December 1984 and March 1985, respectively.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 10 June, if he will place copies of the reports into the Oxford Circus fire made by London Regional Transport and by the London fire brigade in the Library.

Mr. Ridley

I am arranging for a summary of the London fire brigade's report to Her Majesty's Chief Inspecting Officer of the Fire Service to be placed in the Library. The report of the LRT panel of inquiry is a preliminary working document, internal to LRT, which addresses some of the immediate operational issues. There are many additional matters arising from the fire which LRT is also considering. It will be publishing a statement on the circumstances of the fire and action being taken to prevent a recurrence. I shall see that this statement is placed in the Library when it is published.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 10 June, if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained in the report by the London fire brigade into the fire at Oxford Circus on 23 November 1984.

Mr. Ridley

The London fire brigade report was concerned with establishing the cause of the fire and does not include any recommendations. Action necessary to prevent a recurrence was agreed at a series of meetings between LRT and the London fire brigade. Implementation of these measures is proceeding and LRT will include a report on them in the statment that it will be publishing.

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