§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date in August(a) he and (b) his Department's officials first saw the Signals Passed at Danger statistics for 1998–99. [96680]
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§ Mr. HillMinisters were informed in a submission from the Chief Inspector of Railways dated 9 August 1999. HSE first sent officials of an early draft of these statistics on 22 June 1999.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times each signal on routes into London mainline stations via Clapham Junction and Norwood Junction involving stops at Cheam or Sutton stations was passed at danger in each of the last five years. [96072]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 1 November 1999]: The Railways Inspectorate do not hold information in this form. I will ask the chair of the Health and Safety Executive to write to the hon. Member with what information they do hold. A copy will be placed in the House Libraries.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will place the weekly reports he receives on signals passed at danger on the railway in the Library as soon as he receives them; and on what day of the week they will regularly appear; [97084]
(2) if he will produce a table of railway signals passed at danger for each week since 5 October, showing the split between each category of SPAD. [97086]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 2 November 1999]: As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister said to the House on 19 October 1999, information on signal passes at danger will be made available to the House on a monthly basis.
A published first analysis by the Health and Safety Executive's Railways Inspectorate will be available early November in the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many incidents of signals passed at danger have occurred on the main line between London Liverpool Street and Ipswich in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [97090]
(2) how many incidents of signals passed at danger have occurred on the main line between London Liverpool Street and Southminster in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [97089]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 2 November 1999]: This information is not available in the form requested. The Health and Safety Executive will write to the hon. Member with what information they do hold. A copy of the letter will be placed in the House Libraries.
§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the performance of train operating companies with regard to their contractual obligations of maintenance and standards of safety when considering requests to extend franchises; and if he will make a statement. [96930]
§ Mr. HillI can confirm that the Deputy Prime Minister's instruction to the franchising director require him to maintain effective liaison with other authorities, including the Rail Regulator and the Health and Safety266W Executive, in the conduct of his business. The franchising director will be expected to consult other authorities prior to making recommendations to Ministers concerning the extension of franchises.
§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the train operating companies that have requested an extension of their franchise; and if he will make a statement. [96931]
§ Mr. HillThe bids received by the franchising director are commercially confidential and I am therefore unable to list them.