Rail safety measures introduced

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Hunting Bill

Lords reform

A Safety Bill to enable recommendations from the inquiry into the Paddington rail crash to be fully carried out was announced in the Queen's Speech today. Lord Cullen yesterday published part one of his report into the October 1999 disaster.

Part two, which looks at rail safety generally, is due out later this year and the Safety Bill will provide an opportunity to take forward his recommendations which require legislation.

Transport Secretary Stephen Byers has already said that all 89 of Lord Cullen's recommendations announced yesterday will be implemented. Mr Byers has asked the Health and Safety Commission to report back to him within six months about the implementation process.

The Government also announced today that it was bringing in legislation to allow men to get concessionary travel fares, such as free or reduced fare bus passes, at the age of 60. Although women get concessions at 60, men currently have to wait until 65. The new Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Bill will mean around one million more men benefiting.

In London, pensioners get free bus and Tube travel as long as they journey outside the morning rush­hour. In other parts of the country, local authorities offer half­price or better bus pass concessions.

Around 5.5 million pensioners and 1.5 million disabled people are currently eligible for concessionary bus fares.