§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to monitor the quality of railway track supporting trains carrying nuclear material; and if he will make it his policy to request British Rail to upgrade such track.
§ Mr. David MitchellOnce a railway is opened the railway operator has the responsibility of maintaining the track to a standard fit for the traffic it has to bear; there are no statutory powers available to require the operator to make any improvements. The measure of his performance in meeting this responsibility forms part of the analysis in the "Annual Report on the Safety of Railways in Great Britain", copies of which are in the Library. It is not intended to take special steps to monitor the quality of track for any particular traffic.