HC Deb 10 December 2001 vol 376 c578W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Health and Safety Executive and Rail Inspectorate and (b) the Train Operating Companies on driver safety. [21708]

Mr. Jamieson

Ministers have regular meetings and contact with the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, the Association of Train Operating Companies and individual train operators during which a range of railway safety issues are discussed.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what limit he sets as the maximum hours a driver can safely drive a train. [21709]

Mr. Jamieson

The Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 require employers to ensure that employees do not undertake any safety critical work, including driving a train, for a length of time that would be liable to cause them fatigue which could endanger safety.