WHAT HAPPENED ON 22nd January 2001?

21st January 2001

CUBA ALLOWS CZECH PAIR PRISON VISIT

An embassy official in Cuba said that two Czechs arrested for spying 10 days ago were in good health in spite of "unpleasant" prison conditions. He was the first Czech official allowed to see ex-minister Ivan Pilip & former student leader Jan Bubenik since their arrest CTK news agency reported. Havana accuses the two of spying for the United States after they were discovered meeting Cuban dissidents. The Czech Republic last year accused Cuba of violating human rights.

22nd January 2001

HATFIELD INQUIRY CONSIDERS CHARGING SIX

Six senior executives are facing charges of corporate manslaughter in connection with October's Hatfield rail crash in which four people died. The Health & Safety Executive says the prosecutions involving Railtrack and track maintenance firm Balfour Beatty are being seriously considered. Railtrack has admitted that mistakes were made leading up to the crash. Faulty track was due to be replaced but the work was not carried out.

22nd January 2001

GOVT RULES OUT HATFIELD CRASH INQUIRY

Ministers have ruled out a public inquiry into the Hatfield rail crash in which four people died last October. The case "had not been made" for a judicial inquiry sitting in public said the Department of Environment Transport & the Regions. The investigation has been left to the Health & Safety Executive which is releasing an interim report tomorrow. The DETR said a "full-blown inquiry after every accident" was not normal.

21st January 2001

"FUND ELDERLY CARE IN FULL": SUTHERLAND

The man who chaired the inquiry into long term care for the elderly in Scotland has warned the executive it must fund his recommendations in full. And Sir Stewart Sutherland has called on ministers to supply a timetable detailing when the demands will be met. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Eye to Eye programme he also accused both Westminster & Holyrood of "prevarication" over the issue. An executive announcement on the subject is expected on Wednesday.

22nd January 2001

HATFIELD INQUIRY CONSIDERS CHARGING SIX

Six senior executives are facing charges of corporate manslaughter in connection with October's Hatfield rail crash in which four people died. The Health & Safety Executive says the prosecutions involving Railtrack and track maintenance firm Balfour Beatty are being seriously considered. Railtrack has admitted that mistakes were made leading up to the crash. Faulty track was due to be replaced but the work was not carried out.

22nd January 2001

GOVT RULES OUT HATFIELD CRASH INQUIRY

Ministers have ruled out a public inquiry into the Hatfield rail crash in which four people died last October. The case "had not been made" for a judicial inquiry sitting in public said the Department of Environment Transport & the Regions. The investigation has been left to the Health & Safety Executive which is releasing an interim report tomorrow. The DETR said a "full-blown inquiry after every accident" was not normal.

21st January 2001

What People were saying on

"My wife has got facial products & sometimes you put on a mask to get the blackheads out. That's only normal. I've got to look after the old mush."

Actor Mel Gibson.

"How can we have a sovereign Parliament when we are constantly bombarded with legislation devised by officials in a foreign country & approved generally by majority voting?"

Labour peer Lord Shore a fierce critic of the EU.

"I will work to build a single nation of justice & opportunity."

George W Bush in his inaugural address.

22nd January 2001

HATFIELD INQUIRY CONSIDERS CHARGING SIX

Six senior executives are facing charges of corporate manslaughter in connection with October's Hatfield rail crash in which four people died. The Health & Safety Executive says the prosecutions involving Railtrack and track maintenance firm Balfour Beatty are being seriously considered. Railtrack has admitted that mistakes were made leading up to the crash. Faulty track was due to be replaced but the work was not carried out.

22nd January 2001

GOVT RULES OUT HATFIELD CRASH INQUIRY

Ministers have ruled out a public inquiry into the Hatfield rail crash in which four people died last October. The case "had not been made" for a judicial inquiry sitting in public said the Department of Environment Transport & the Regions. The investigation has been left to the Health & Safety Executive which is releasing an interim report tomorrow. The DETR said a "full-blown inquiry after every accident" was not normal.

21st January 2001

HATFIELD COMPANY LOSES TRACKS CONTRACT

The rail maintenance company which was working at Hatfield at the time of last October's crash has lost the contract to continue operating on that line. Railtrack says Jarvis Facilities will take over responsibility for the East Coast main line from Balfour Beatty. Four people died in the derailment which was caused by a broken rail. Balfour Beatty has been named preferred bidder for the maintenance of the Kent and Great Eastern areas.

22nd January 2001

HATFIELD INQUIRY CONSIDERS CHARGING SIX

Six senior executives are facing charges of corporate manslaughter in connection with October's Hatfield rail crash in which four people died. The Health & Safety Executive says the prosecutions involving Railtrack and track maintenance firm Balfour Beatty are being seriously considered. Railtrack has admitted that mistakes were made leading up to the crash. Faulty track was due to be replaced but the work was not carried out.

22nd January 2001

RAILTRACK "MEETS TRAIN SERVICE TARGET"

Train companies report that Railtrack has met its target of running 85% of normal passenger services by the end of January with 89% now back in operation The Association of Train Operating Companies says 80% of trains are on time down from 85% in October. Disruption after the Hatfield crash has badly hit passenger numbers & revenue Revenue is 10% below expectations & the Christmas period saw only a negligible rise in passenger numbers.