HL Deb 06 March 1996 vol 570 cc24-6WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will state:

  1. (a) the number of Mark I slam door passenger rolling stock and the number of other types of passenger rolling stock currently in use;
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  3. (b) the estimated date when all Mark I slam door stock will have been withdrawn from service; and
  4. (c) the number of fatalities involving accidents in or connected with Mark I slam door rolling stock and with other types of passenger stock for the period 1985 to 1995, broken down into railway staff and passengers.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)

These are now matters for the three rolling stock leasing companies, Angel Train Contracts, Eversholt Leasing Limited and Porterbrook Leasing. However, I understand that:

  1. (a) as of 1st April 1995 the then British Rail leasing companies owned 2,757 Mark I vehicles and the number of other passenger rolling stock totalled 7,908.
  2. (b) during the five years to 1st April 2000, 1,447 Mark I vehicles are scheduled to come off lease; at 1st April 2002 a further 744 Mark I vehicles are scheduled to come off lease, with leases on the remainder scheduled to terminate on 1st April 2004.
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  4. (c) the number of fatalities involving accidents to passengers and railway staff in or connected with Mark I slam door and other rolling stock for the period 1985 to 1995 is set out in the following table:

Year Passengers Staff Total
1985 31 16 47
1986 31 13 44
1987 39 12 51
1988 68 13 81
1989 31 14 45
1990 35 20 55
1991 8 5 13
1991–92 30 11 41
1992–93 16 6 22
1993–94 14 3 17
1994–95 15 8 23
Total 318 121 439

Notes:

1. From 1985 to 1990 the period covered is the calendar year 1st January to 3Ist December.

2. In 1991, the period covered is 1st January 1991 to 31st March 1991.

3. From 1991–92 to 1994–95, the periods covered are the financial years 1st April to 31st March.

The figures represent all train and movement fatalities to passengers and railway staff.