§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the adequacy of safety precautions for the transport of toxic or flammable freight by rail, as evidenced by the derailment and fire on a train carrying flammable goods at Bradford-on-Tone, near Wellington, Somerset in the early hours of 16 May.
§ Mr. FreemanDangerous goods are carried by rail in accordance with the British Railways Board's list of dangerous goods and conditions of acceptance by rail on freight services and parcels service. Major incidents involving toxic substances or the spillage of large quantities of flammable substances, such as the one referred to, are infrequent. There have been no deaths and very few injuries since 1984.
Responsibility for operational safety rests primarily with the railway operator. Her Majesty's railway inspectorate, a part of the Health and Safety Executive, is responsible for enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 on the railways.