§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of(a) staffing reductions and (b) dividend payments by Rai1track on the performance of its rail safety responsibilities. [63645]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonUnder the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994, reductions in staffing levels would require amendment to a Railway Safety Case where this might affect safety. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate monitors compliance with the Regulations and will take whatever action it considers appropriate to ensure safety is not compromised.
Dividend payments are a commercial matter for Railtrack's Board of Directors.