LONDON TRANSPORT AND MR RON LIPSIUS

That this House unreservedly condemns the crude, careless indifference exhibited by London Transport and their legal representatives, Herbert Smith, in dealing with the case of Mr Ron Lipsius, the American musician, cruelly burned in the King's Cross Fire; considers their behaviour shameful and is appalled and ashamed that, as well as having to come to terms with his terrible injuries and the emotional torture of the experience, he and his family had to endure eight years of misery, struggle and cold confrontation in order to obtain even some reparation; notes that, against that background of pressure, the final award followed a kind of black auction whose sole purpose was to limit London Transport's liability; wonders whether the lawyer's fees to London Transport exceeded Mr. Lipsius award; recognises that Mr Lipsius' experience is by no means unique; and therefore believes that the Government should, as a matter of urgency, consider how such cases can be dealt with in a civilised and compassionate way rather than by the legalised barbarity to which this wholly innocent person has been subject.