§ Mr SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State when he received, and when he expects to publish, the report of Her Majesty's inspectorate into the Cowden rail accident. [37266]
§ Mr. WattsPart I of the inspector's report was published on 9 June by the Health and Safety Executive, and copies were placed in the House of Commons Library. The first report explains how the accident happened and addresses the adequacy of the safety mechanisms and procedures on the line. It was called for in advance of the coroner's inquest in order to avoid delaying publication of the conclusions that were not dependent on the outcome of the inquest. The report concluded that the line was adequately and safely signalled and that the signalling equipment was working as it should be.
Part II of the report will address who was driving the train at the time of the accident, taking into account the additional forensic evidence given at the recent inquest. The inspector's final report will be published by the HSE as soon as possible.