§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statutory powers of arrest possessed by the transport police and the civil police, respectively, besides those available to them under common law.
§ Dr. GilbertThe powers of the civil police are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Members of the British Transport Police are appointed under Section 53 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949 and have all the powers, privileges and protection of a constable in respect of the exercise of his duties and may follow and arrest any person who is suspected of having committed, in the vicinity of those premises 591W listed in the Act, any offences for which a power of arrest exists. Members of the British Transport Police may also stop, search and take into custody any person in the employment or employed upon such property who may be reasonably suspected of having in his possession or conveying, anything stolen or unlawfully obtained.