§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on current staffing levels in British transport police and how this differs from what Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary has recommended in its most recent report on this matter.
§ Mr. PortilloI understand from the British transport police that the force has 1,500 officers in post in respect of British Rail and 328 officers in its London Underground L division. The complement of L division was recently increased from 350 to 400 following a recommendation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary in a report on L division. Some 80 additional officers from the Metropolitan and the City of London police are now assisting the BTP while L division is brought up to strength. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary has recently carried out an inspection of the rest of the BTP and a report is being prepared.