RENDEL QUESTIONS SECRETARY OF STATE ON RAIL CRASH

1.36.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 10th Nov 2004

Responding to today's Parliamentary Statement by the Secretary of State for Transport on Saturday's rail crash, David Rendel MP commented:

"These are occasions when MPs from all sides come together. I am grateful for the condolences that were expressed to the relatives of those who died and to the passengers who were injured, many of whom were from West Berkshire.

"There was also a consensus about the magnificent response of the Thames Valley emergency services.

"It appears that very little could have been done to avoid this tragedy, either in terms of the design of the train or of the level crossing. I did, however, ask the Secretary of State to look at two specific issues.

"The first is the evidence given by passengers that the emergency hammers provided on the carriages were not effective in breaking the train windows, and the lack of emergency lighting made their task more difficult.

"Second, I asked whether the emergency services should have systematic procedures in place to collect the contact details of passengers before they leave the site of such an incident.

"I am grateful that the Secretary of State agreed that these issues will be looked at as part of the wider enquiry now taking place."

ENDS