§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has held with London Regional Transport about the introduction of rolling stock on the London Underground designed to reduce crime opportunities and increase passenger protection;
(2) what studies he has undertaken or commissioned into the design of underground train carriages so as to increase passenger protection against crime.
§ Mr. David MitchellMy Department maintains close contact with London Underground Ltd. on measures to combat crime on the Underground. Features to improve passenger security have been incorporated in the prototype trains built to evaluate the replacement stock to serve the Central line in the 1990s. These include alarms which allow passengers to talk to the driver and greater visibility between carriages. The trains will undergo passenger service trials later this year.