§ Mr. John MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the railway inspectorate has made of the safety of parked railway fuel tankers at Port Talbot station.
§ Mr. FreemanThe primary responsibility for railway safety rests with the operator. British Rail has already taken a number of steps to reduce leakages from fuel tank wagons at Port Talbot station. There were eight such incidents in 1989 but only one so far in 1990.
The railway inspectorate will be reviewing the situation to make sure that all reasonably practicable safety measures are being taken.
§ Mr. John MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents have occurred with parked railway fuel tankers in south Wales in the last two years; and on how many occasions passengers have had to be disembarked from main line trains because of concern with safety.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand from British Rail that there have been 14 incidents of seepage or leakage from railway fuel tank wagons in south Wales since January 1988. No passengers have been disembarked from trains as a direct result, but it is usual for the fire service to be called and the passage of other trains stopped whilst any leakage is investigated and rectified.