To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has, and what representations it has received, about deaths and injuries caused as a result of faulty train doors, in British Rail and underground services.

In the five-year period 1985–1989¹ there is no evidence to show that faulty train doors on British Rail and underground services were the cause of death or major injury. During that time, fatalities and injuries have occurred in accidents associated with train doors for the following reasons:

(a) passengers slipping as they enter or alight from stationary trains.

(b) passengers opening slam-type doors as the train enters the station, causing injury to persons on the platform.

(c) passengers falling out of trains after deliberately or accidentally opening a slam door while the train is in motion.

(d) incorrect operation of sliding doors.

A number of hon. Members and members of the public have made representations about accidents in the last category. The railway inspectorate received a letter in October from a member of Liverpool city council concerning recent accidents on the west coast main line involving passengers falling from trains. After each accident on this line, BR examined all doors concerned and found them to be working properly.