Lord Brabazon said he welcomed Lord Macdonald's announcement that there would be no public inquiry.

BBC: Rail inquiry report due on Friday

And Lord Brabazon commended the Minister for supporting Gerald Corbett, chief executive of Railtrack, after he offered to resign.

BBC: Rail inquiry report due on Friday

Lord Brabazon told peers that the walls and foundations were in a "reasonable condition" but that there were also other structural concerns.

BBC: Urgent repairs to Parliament to cost ?69m, peers hear

Lord Brabazon of Tara, who is responsible for administration in the House of Lords, said that there were "considerable maintenance issues" which required "considerable investment".

BBC: Urgent repairs to Parliament to cost ?69m, peers hear

The Tory's transport spokesman in the Lords, Lord Brabazon argued that the UK's railways were becoming safer and "no objective observer" would suggest that they were now more dangerous.

BBC: Rail inquiry report due on Friday