HC Deb 23 March 1976 vol 908 cc115-6W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on security arrangements at London underground stations.

Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the security arrangements taken to protect the public travelling on public transport; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional steps he intends to take to protect train crews and passengers from terrorist attacks.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Metropolitan Police are keeping in close touch with the British Rail and London Transport police on this matter. Police surveillance of stations and trains has been considerably increased, and I understand that transport staff have also increased searches of trains. But, with over 300 stations and 2 million passengers a day on the London underground system alone, the vigilance of the public must be the first line of defence. The police and the transport authorities, with the Government's full support, are using every available means of reminding the travelling public of the importance of their vigilance and of telling them what they should and should not do, and how best they can help to deal with this threat of mindless and indiscriminate savagery.

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