§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to give particularly hazardous consignments a police escort in the Central London area. [174678]
§ Caroline FlintWe have introduced, in consultation with industry and the police, a Code of Practice for the transport security of dangerous goods. The Code is a pre-cursor to formal regulations due to come into effect from July 2005. The Code is supported by a guidance document and training video. These and other helpful materials are available via the Department for Transport's website, at www.dft.gsi.gov.uk.
Decisions on whether a particular consignment should receive a police escort are a matter for chief officers of police, in central London the Metropolitan Police Commissioner He informs me that a very limited number of particularly hazardous consignments do attract special security arrangements, such as a police escort, when being conveyed by road in the central London area.