§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken to improve communication links between (a) train drivers and guards on trains on the same line and (b) between train drivers and those responsible for signalling and safety.
§ Viscount UllswaterExcept where trains are operated by one person on underground lines, Her Majesty's Government do not see a need for the driver or guard of one train to be able to speak directly to his opposite number on another train on the same line. All such communications should be made through the signalman. This forms part of the national radio plan of the British Railways Board which foresees radio coverage of most if not all of the railway network and which is due for completion by the end of 1992.