§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the publication of the report of the inspector of railways consequent to his inquiry into the accident at Walton-on-the-Naze in August 1987; on what date the inspector concerned concluded his inquiry; and if he will make a statement explaining the factors governing the timing of its publication.
§ Mr. FreemanThe inspector concerned completed his inquiries at the end of 1988. The lessons learnt have been discussed with British Rail and implemented by it. I will give a further answer later this week summarising the circumstances of the accident and Her Majesty's railway inspector's conclusions.
Much of the inspector's time at present is committed to major priorities such as the Manchester Metrolink and the Docklands light railway. He will complete the Walton-onthe-Naze report as soon as possible.