To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passenger deaths on British railways due to defective doors there were in each of the last 20 years. [140480]

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: Records are not kept on the number of passenger deaths resulting from defective doors. Figures are, however, kept on the number of passenger deaths resulting from falling from train doors. The table shows this information in the last 20 years. The numbers have reduced over recent years from a high of 26 in 1987 to two recorded during 1999–2000. It is not possible to say how many of these would have been as a result of defective doors.