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Union fears over Tube fire safety
Rail union RMT has stepped up its campaign to keep fire safety regulations in place across London Underground. Speaking on the 18 November 19th anniversary of the King's Cross fire, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said rules brought in after the blaze in 1987 should not be diluted. 'As we remember the 31 victims of the King's Cross fire, we should also remember that it was as a direct result of that tragedy that the Section 12 regulations were introduced two years later,' he said. 'It is hugely disturbing that less than two decades after King's Cross, and with the 7 July bombings still fresh in our minds, it remains possible that the strict minimum safety standards could be removed. The government's decision to postpone scrapping Section 12 in January this year was welcome, but it is imperative that ministers now recognise the need to keep them in place, because the Fire Safety Order is simply not an adequate substitute.' Labour MP John McDonnell has tabled a House of Commons motion urging the government to maintain the regulations. Bob Crow commented: 'It is good news that John McDonnell, who has done so much in parliament to keep these regulations in place, has tabled another Commons motion, and RMT members will be urging every MP to sign it. We look forward to the opportunity of outlining our concerns to Angela Smith, the minister now responsible, and will work within any forum to help ensure that these vital safeguards remain in place.'
Briefing document (300 words) issued 24 Nov 2006
