Safety (Hansard, 28 June 1994)

§ Mr. Illsley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department gives to value-for-money performance indicators for transport safety measures; and what research has been undertaken by his Department into such indicators.

§ Mr. Norris
[holding answer 27 June 1994]: My Department strongly supports the use of value-for-money criteria in the consideration of transport safety measures and the need for systematic assessment of costs and benefits in the introduction of safety legislation. A range of research has been commissioned by the Department into the valuation of safety benefits, particularly in relation to road safety. The public transport operators also commission research in which the Department takes a close interest.

§ Mr. Illsley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions officials of his Department have had with the National Audit Office concerning value-for-money performance indicators for transport safety measures.

§ Mr. Norris
[holding answer 27 June 1994]: Officials from my Department participated in the National Audit Office seminar in July 1993 and have more recently had a number of informal discussions on performance measures for transport safety.

§ Mr. Illsley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions are given to public inquiries after transport disasters regarding(a) the prioritisation of any recommendation produced by such inquiries and (b) the estimation of the costs of implementing any recommendations produced by such inquiries.

§ Mr. Norris
[holding answer 27 June 1994]: The Department believes it important that consideration is given to the costs as well as the likely benefits of implementing any recommendations produced by public inquiries after major transport disasters. This is reflected in the terms of reference of Lord Donaldson's inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping which required that due consideration should be given to the economic implications of any new measures. The Department attaches importance to ensuring that any future inquiries also include this requirement. The Department has not issued specific instructions about the prioritisation of recommendations.