Written question asked by Patrick Mercer (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 November 2004. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Monday, 8 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff have been employed to inspect and search rail freight in each year since 2001. - No figures. The Department does not hold information on the number of staff required to meet these requirements.

Answer: Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have been employed to inspect and search rail freight in each year since 2001. [194709] Mr. McNulty: Security standards for domestic rail freight are set out in the National Railways Security Programme (NRSP) (dated June 2004). This document is issued to Network Rail, TOCs and others (Freight Operating Companies) with direct involvement in railway security. The document details both mandatory and best practice standards for the industry. International rail freight via the channel tunnel or UK ports is liable to security checks. The Department does not hold information on the number of staff required to meet these requirements.

Secondary information