§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail concerning their response mechanism to requests by fire services for trains to be stopped in emergency situations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThis is a matter for British Rail. I understand that BR is reviewing arrangements for emergency communication with fire services, and that BR aims to identify one railway control location for each geographical area of its operations.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what formal machinery exists for meetings between British Rail and representatives of local emergency services.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail liaises at all levels with the emergency services. Emergency procedures are regularly rehearsed both as theoretical and practical exercises to ensure that the emergency services are in a position to deal effectively with any incident that may occur.