Mr. John P. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the railway inspectorate on the safety implications of allowing locomotive number 86238 to travel from Norwich Crown Point to Manningtree on 7 June without a qualified driver.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand that the locomotive was used in conjunction with one of the driving trailers which are to be introduced on Liverpool Street to Norwich InterCity services later in the year. The train was driven by a traction inspector who was fully qualified to drive both the locomotive and driving trailer. Two other, similarly qualified inspectors were also on board. Had a driver been present he would only have assisted with route knowledge and all three traction inspectors were fully competent in that respect. The railway inspectorate assures me that safety was not compromised.