The Oxford Mail's campaign for a new, more tightly-drawn law on corporate manslaughter in the wake of the Paddington rail crash has been making waves at Westminster, writes Bill Jacobs. And the indications are that it may have prompted the Government into swift action.

Local MPs and campaigners on the wider front are delighted at the fact that the paper's demands for legislation, based on the Law Commission's report on the issue four years ago, have focused minds and appear to be on the verge of bringing results.

Gwyneth Dunwoody, chairman of the influential House of Commons Transport Select Committee, is delighted at the effect of the campaign. Her all-party group recommended just such action a few years ago after the Sowerby Bridge disaster, when a poorly maintained lorry careered out of control down a hill in Yorkshire, killing several innocent bystanders.

The prosecution failed, as with the previous Southall rail crash on the way into Paddington, because no director could be identified as responsible for the state of the vehicle.

She said: "I am very pleased with the Oxford Mail campaign. Anything that can be done to tighten up the law in this respect and increase safety is to be encouraged. It certainly is having an effect and I hope to see action soon from Jack Straw." Senior Government sources have confirmed that action is imminent and that the representations made by the Oxford Mail and local MPs both in private and in public at Westminster are having an effect.

A spokesman for Oxford East MP and Treasury Chief Secretary Andrew Smith said: "There is no doubt that campaigns by newspapers like the Oxford Mail have a big impact on Government action.

"Andrew is listening very carefully to what people have to say and has communicated their views to colleagues in Government." Campaigning Aberdeen MP Frank Doran, who has been seeking a new law since the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988 said: "The campaign run by the Oxford Mail has focused attention on the problem and moved the issue forward."

And Witney MP and Tory transport spokesman Shaun Woodward told me: "Once again, the Oxford Mail has rightly judged the public mood. It knows that people are fed up with tragic situations in which no one will take responsibility. The law as it stands clearly allows people to feel badly let down. "We desperately need to look at these very serious proposals by the Law Commission. The crucial question we must ask is: will a change in the law lead to improved rail safety? I do not intend to let this subject go. I will campaign with the Oxford Mail to ensure that all those responsible for running our railways are not allowed to get away with hot air and buck-passing.

"People feel very angry, and the Oxford Mail must campaign and ask the questions until we have proper answers." With Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris and the Liberal Democrats on side, hopes are high that the Oxford Mail campaign will produce swift action from the Government.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said: "I have been arguing for this ever since the Marchioness River Thames disaster. I welcome the Oxford Mail campaign and I am fully supportive of it. Hopefully it will bring a result sooner rather than later."

Story date: Friday 22 October

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