HC Deb 13 May 1986 vol 97 cc426-8W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total number of people using London Regional Trasport (a) buses, and (b) Underground for each year from 1976; and what are the projected figures for each year from 1986 to 1990.

Mr. David Mitchell

Figures for past years are published in annual reports of London Regional Transport (formerly the London Transport Executive) and are as follows:

their bus operations to one person operations for (a) women and (b) men for each year since 1976; and what are the projected figures for each year from 1986 to 1990;

(2) what was the total number of Underground staff, excluding guards and drivers, employed by London Transport and London Regional Transport for each year from 1976; and what are the projected figures for each year from 1986 to 1990;

(3) what was the total number of guards employed by London Transport and London Regional Transport on the Underground for each year from 1976; and what are the project figures for each year from 1986 to 1990;

(4) what were the total numbers of (a) female and (b) male conductors employed by London Transport or London Buses Ltd. for each year from 1976; and what are the projected figures for each year from 1986 to 1990;

(5) how many (a) female and (b) male former conductors have (i) successfully retrained and (ii) failed their retraining as London bus drivers on one person operated buses each year since the scheme's inception.

Mr. David Mitchell

These are matters for London Regional Transport and its operating subsidiaries.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many stations on London's Underground have had closed circuit television for each of the past five years; and how many will have it by 1990.

Mr. David Mitchell

I refer the hon. Member to my replies given on Friday 9 May 1986 to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks), at column 287, on the subject of closed circuit television.

The Department does not hold any further information. The future extension of closed circuit television is being considered as part of the study of crime on the Underground.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the incidence of assaults on London Transport or London Regional Transport staff on (a) the Underground and (b) buses for each year since 1976.

Mr. David Mitchell

The total number of assaults reported by London Regional Transport operating staff for each year since 1976 is as follows:

Underground Buses
1976 209 1,062
1977 273 1,248
1978 238 1,118
1979 291 1,039
1980 297 1,123
1981 258 1,007
1982 317 1,228
1983 300 1,157
1984 286 1,250
1985 364 1,358

These statistics do not distinguish between minor assaults and more violent attacks.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total of security police employed by London Transport or London Regional Transport on the Underground for each year since 1976; and what are the projected figures for each year from 1986 to 1990.

Mr. David Mitchell

The average number of British Transport police officers deployed on the Underground since 1975 is as follows:

Number
1976 130
1977 121
1978 141
1979 139
1980 161
1981 270
1982 284
1983 284
1984 248
1985 267

It is intended that the number of officers will rise to 350 by March 1987.

Policing levels is one of the issues currently being examined in the study of crime on the Underground. It is not possible at present to predict future policing levels beyond 1987, nor would I wish to pre-empt the findings of the study by attempting to do so.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State far Transport what plans Her Majesty's Government have to improve the safety of passengers using the London Underground.

Mr. David Mitchell

The safety of passengers using the London Underground is the responsibility of London Regional Transport. However, as the hon. Member is aware, the Department is currently conducting a study of crime on the Underground in conjunction with LRT, the Home Office, the British Transport police and the Metropolitan police. I would not wish to pre-empt the findings of the study by making any further comment at present.

I understand that London Regional Transport is also in the process of conducting separate researches in passenger safety and security.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the incidence of attacks on passengers on the London Underground for (a) women and (b) men for each year since 1976; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

Information from LRT shows that the incidence of attacks (including cases of robbery, sexual assault and other criminal assault) during the period 1976 to 1984 was as follows:

Number
1976 277
1977 392
1978 470
1979 530
1980 689
1981 806
1982 811
1983 797
1984 1,176

An analysissis by sex is not available for these years. The data for 1985 are still being assembled and a special analysis to establish the sex of the victim will be undertaken. I shall write to the Home Member when the figures become available.