§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the requirement by the Department of Transport that platforms at railway stations should be extended to the length of trains using the platforms, and on the amount of grant aid given to British Rail for this work.
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§ Mr. FreemanThe requirement that platforms should be as long as the trains regularly booked to call at them has been in existence since the turn of the century. Her Majesty's inspectorate issued fresh guidance on this matter last year, in connection with the greater use of trains with crew-controlled doors. British Rail is surveying its stations to identify any which do not meet the requirements. It will then discuss with the inspectorate and the Department what action should be taken. Safety expenditure by the subsidised railway sectors will continue to be supported by means of the PSO grant in the normal way.