Westminster: Security

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Baroness Rawlings

Tuesday 5th February 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review security in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster.

[The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Williams of Trafford) (Con)]

My Lords, the Government provide a wide range of advice and guidance to the public about threats and how they can be mitigated. It is a matter for the owners and operators of crowded places to consider this advice and take forward appropriate security measures.

[Baroness Rawlings (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer. Security is vitally important not only around Westminster but across the whole country. My concern is about bridges and the plight of pedestrians, as described by Athena in Country Life this week. The solid security barriers along bridges could be potentially dangerous for pedestrians trapped in these pens. Would the Minister agree that it is unacceptable for hundreds of pedestrians to be forced—kettled like demonstrators—along bridges, funnelled through the too narrow spaces created by what was probably meant to be a temporary measure but is now a permanent one?

These barriers present a new crush risk, with huge selfie-taking crowds rambling across the bridges. Should there be any accident, there is no escape. Can the Minister look into suggestions that these security barriers be replaced by security bollards which are far less obtrusive and would avoid many of the security barrier problems?