§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the British transport police on the activities on the London Underground system of the organisation known as the Guardian Angels.
§ Mr. PortilloI see no need for such a report. The Government have made it clear that we are opposed to private citizens adopting a policing role except as special constables. There can be no objection to any persons travelling on the Underground if they do so in an unprovocative manner as fare-paying and law-abiding citizens. If, however, they act unlawfully or engage in conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace, their presence will not be welcome and in that event they could not expect to be exempt from the ordinary processes of the law. The British transport police committee is considering the changes that would be necessary to the British transport police scheme to allow the force to recruit special constables and the Government look forward to their proposals.