HC Deb 16 May 2002 vol 385 cc793-4W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish the draft legislation to take forward the recommendations of Lord Cullen's inquiry into rail safety. [57146]

Mr. Byers

The only recommendations which are likely to require primary legislation are those concerning the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Rail Industry Safety Body. In the case of the Rail Industry Safety Body, however, the Rail Regulator may be able to establish this through licence changes, in which case primary legislation will not be needed. We will publish proposals for any legislation that is required in the current Session.

Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people died as a result of railway crashes in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [57122]

Mr. Jamieson

Information held by the Health and Safety Executive on the number of train incident fatalities each year since 1997 is contained in the table.

Passengers Railway staff Other people1 Totals
2001–02 0 0 5 5
2000–01 10 4 3 17
1999–2000 29 2 2 33
1998–99 0 0 3 3
1997–98 7 0 3 10
1Pedestrians, car drivers, cyclists