British Transport Police (Hansard, 19 December 1988)

§ Mr. McCrindle
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any recommendations from Mr. Charles McLachlan on manning levels of L division of the British Transport police; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Portillo
Mr. McLachlan, one of Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary has reported on his inspection10W earlier this year of L division of the British Transport police. It is for the BT police committee to consider the recommendations, some of which concern manning levels.

§ Mr. McCrindle
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Mr. McLachlan to conclude his report into the operations of the British Transport police; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Portillo
Mr. McLachlan's report on the L division of British Transport police has been completed. It is proposed to inspect and report on the rest of the force early next year.

§ Mr. McCrindle
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what public affairs resources the British Transport police has; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Portillo
I understand that the British Transport police has no press office. Officers deal with the media when appropriate, taking account of force standing orders and can seek assistance and advice from the British Rail and London Regional Transport public affairs departments.

§ Mr. McCrindle
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there have been any discussions between his Department and British Rail over the level of funding of the British Transport police; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Portillo
My Department has had recent discussions with the Railways board on a number of issues involving the BTP, including funding arrangements.

§ Mr. McCrindle
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on the continued existence of the British Transport police as a separate entity.

§ Mr. Portillo
If a decision to privatise British Rail were taken, it would be necessary to consider whether to change the arrangements for policing the railway. But since no such decision has been taken, no such question arises at present.