Railway Inspectorate

HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 cc98-9W

91. Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a review of the role of the railway inspectorate.

Mr. Portillo

A review of the railway inspectorate's role was commissioned by the Secretary of State in 1986. Its terms of reference included examination of the inspectorate's present role, and the formulation of recommendations as to how improvements could be made to ensure the most efficient and effective way of administering Government railway safety responsibilities in the longer term. A report was presented in 1987 which included numerous recommendations, many of which have already been implemented. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House.