Clause 49 - Railways policing plan
Railways and Transport Safety Bill
4:45 pm
Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North, Labour)
I understand and appreciate the sentiments expressed by the hon. Member for Bath about the seriousness of crimes of vandalism and trespass. Vandalism is mentioned in the hon. Gentleman's amendment, but I wonder why these specific offences should be included in the Bill. When the Minister was asked during our sitting on 11 February about the remit of the British Transport police, following a fascinating discussion instigated by the hon. Member for Westbury about why bigamy was excluded from its remit, he said:
''The policing of the railway requires a specialist police service to deal with the threat of terrorism, the problems of trespass and vandalism''.—[Official Report, Standing Committee D, 11 February 2003; c. 159.]
Those crimes are obviously within the remit of the police and I wonder why the hon. Gentleman feels that they should be mentioned specifically in the Bill.
Further consideration adjourned.—[Joan Ryan.]
Adjourned accordingly at six minutes to Five o'clock till Tuesday 25 February at five minutes to Nine o'clock.