§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many times emergency response trains have been deployed on the rail network in response to rail incidents in each of the last five years and on how many occasions they have been deployed within the ScotRail network; [4440]
(2) what consultations his Department held with Railtrack over its recent decision in relation to the deployment of emergency response trains and what representations it made;[4438]
(3) if he will make a statement on the deployment of emergency response trains by Railtrack.[4437]
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 6 December 1995]: The deployment of such trains is an operational matter for Railtrack, consulting the independent Health and Safety Executive as necessary. I understand from Railtrack that the information requested is available for the period 1992 to 1995 as follows:
Emergency response train/crane call-outs 1992 1993 1994 11995 Great Britain 415 334 182 131 Scotland 7 8 1 4 1 To 30 November 1995 only.