HC Deb 01 February 1989 vol 146 cc209-10W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made to implement recommendation 46 of the Fennell report that the annual inspection by the London fire brigade of underground stations and tunnels should continue and unsatisfactory features be remedied and reported on within six weeks and that copies of the reports be sent to the chief safety inspector and railway inspectorate and that arrangements be made by London Underground to publish the reports in consultation with the London fire brigade and London regional passengers committee.

Mr. Portillo

I understand that London Underground Ltd. has agreed a new procedure in response to this recommendation. The London fire and civil defence authority will send LUL a formal report of each inspection. Copies will be sent to the railways inspectorate and the chief safety inspector. LUL will respond to the LFCDA within six weeks. A copy of the report, together with LUL's response, will be passed to the London regional passengers' committee and to the House of Commons Library. This procedure will take effect from the receipt by LUL of the next LFCDA annual inspection report.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made to implement recommendation 141 in the Fennell report that London Underground shall review its proposals for the working of the underground ticketing system at stations and take advice from the railways inspectorate and the London fire brigade; and if he will take steps to ensure that for all such final proposals which are at variance with the railway inspectorate's or London fire brigade's advice a reason shall be publicly given by London Underground.

Mr. Portillo

London Underground Ltd. had taken the advice of the London fire brigade and of the railways inspectorate on this matter prior to the publication of Mr. Fennell's report. However, London Regional Transport has, at my request, appointed consulting engineers to carry out an independent study of the Underground ticketing system. The study will focus on the implications for passenger safety and will be completed by the end of April. LRT intends to discuss the results of this review with the railways inspectorate and the London fire brigade.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made in response to recommendation 120 of the Fennell report that the law on fire certification as it relates to underground stations should be clarified.

Mr. Portillo

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has made an order under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, that was laid before Parliament on 27 January, under which underground railway stations will require a fire certificate unless regulations which are to be made under section 12 of the 1971 Act apply to them.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made to implement recommendation 48 of the Fennell report that locked emergency gates shall be fitted with alarmed panic bars; and what trials have been carried out to see if they work under panic conditions following an incident which for passenger safety has to be responded to at great speed and where a large number of people are involved.

Mr. Portillo

I understand that London Underground has identified 24 exits and 11 sites at stations with lifts where it is necessary to fit alarmed panic bars. London Underground considers that a new design of gate may be necessary in order to accommodate the panic bars, and a prototype is being installed at Moorgate for evaluation in February. If the prototype is successful, London Underground will install the alarmed panic bars at the sites identified by 30 June 1989.