§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if franchise agreements for rail operations will stipulate(a) the mandatory use of the British Transport police and (b) an obligation for operators to contribute to the costs of this service. [24764]
§ Mr. WattsThe British Transport police will continue, as a unified public force, to be responsible for policing Britain's rail network. Police services will be provided to all licensed railway operators, who will be obliged, through licence conditions, to enter into agreements with the British Transport police to use and pay for all law and order functions that require the use of professional police resources.