Railway and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 

There is no doubt that my noble friend Lord Bradshaw would have had much more to say at this moment than I do. First, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, for his support and the stress that he put on the effects of this on heritage railways. I think that I picked up from him that there are 105, which is an impressive record. I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, for his support, particularly for pointing out that the number of accidents has gone down since 1994 or, presumably, since almost the start of railways, which cannot be a bad thing. The Minister clearly recognised my noble friend Lord Bradshaw’s monumental experience and expertise. I sit at his feet, probably underneath the soles, as an assistant spokesman. Of course, it is difficult to challenge safety. One should not challenge it, but should just ask whether it is being doled out in the wrong way. There is no doubt that unfortunately there are 300 accidents on average on the railway each year. There are 200 suicides and 100 genuinely accidental deaths, of which, on average, six are passengers. That is 300 too many, but it is a very good record by comparison with the 12 a day on the road network. During yesterday’s Unstarred Question, I heard that more than 3,000 people are killed each month in the United States on the road network. That equates to a 9/11 each month, which goes unrecorded. But we are not discussing road safety in this order. The Minister recognised the difficulties that these regulations may have for the minor railways. I was pleased to hear him say that the Office of Rail Regulation would review this issue during the next two years. If community railways have not raised the issue, I wonder whether they feel browbeaten by the inevitability of legislation, but that is for me to ponder on. Finally, I am extremely glad to hear the noble Lord’s reply, which will be devoured with interest. On Question, Motion agreed to. That