§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety implications of recent incidents of hunts trespassing on to railway lines.
§ Mr. PortilloI am advised that the presence of foxhounds on railway track is most unlikely to involve any danger to trains or their passengers. It is for huntsmen to ensure that horses do not stray onto railways and to exercise control over hounds.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list incidents reported by British Rail under accident reporting procedures of trains(a) delayed or (b) forced to halt as a result of hunts trespassing on to railway lines over the last two years.
§ Mr. PortilloThere have been no such incidents reported to my Department by British Rail under the statutory reporting procedures.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hounds participating in hunts have been killed by trains while crossing railway lines during hunts over the last two years.
§ Mr. PortilloThe hon. Member should approach the British Railways board for these details.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from(a) the New Forest Foxhounds, (b) the Bicester and Whaddon Chase Foxhounds and (c) the Cattistock 154W Foxhounds regarding the killing of hounds by British Rail trains; what compensation is payable in such cases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no such representations. The question of compensation payable to persons involved in rail incidents is a matter for the railways board.