§ Dr. TwinnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received British Rail's safety plan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindThe British Railways Board has submitted its safety plan to me today. I have arranged for copies o be placed in the Library.
I welcome the board's plan, which sets out the board's safety policy and objectives and the wide range of initiatives that are already under way. These include new safety management systems, improved training, investment in new equipment and changes in working methods. The plan is a comprehensive and forward-looking document. It demonstrates the high level of commitment and of resources being devoted, throughout British Rail, to running a safe railway. I hope that the plan will increase public awareness of this enormous effort, and reassure rail users.
Railway accidents are rare and rail remains one of the safest modes of transport. Building on this, the board is committed to maintaining and improving this enviable safety record.
The initiatives in the plan will be taken into account in BR's estimates of future safety expenditure. We have endorsed in full both BR's expenditure of £70 million on additional safety measures in 1990–91, and its planned expenditure of some £330 million over the next three years. BR knows that there is no financial constraint on necessary and cost-effective safety expenditure.
I have written to Dr. Cullen, the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, seeking the commission's view on the safety plan.