§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new plans he has to improve the safety of women and other passengers on London Underground; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanLondon Underground Ltd is currently implementing a programme of new measures to improve passenger security with the aid of a £15 million Government grant. These measures, include trained staff with radios; help-point booths; passenger talkback alarms; closed-circuit television; safe waiting areas; and mirrors and improved lighting in passageways. They have been introduced at selected stations on the Northern and Central lines and at Oxford Circus station, in order to assess their effectiveness, and are now being installed at stations between Hammersmith and Paddington on the Metropolitan line. London Underground Ltd is also considering additional anti-crime features, such as the use of closed-circuit television in carriages. The new generation of rolling stock, now on order, incorporates a 717W number of security features, including alarms allowing communication with the driver, and greater visibility between carriages.