Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how the emergency services network will operate underground; and if she will make a statement.

The new Emergency Services Network (ESN) will provide the dedicated teams who work so hard protecting the public and saving lives with the most advanced communications system of its kind anywhere in the world.

The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) is working with both Transport for London (TFL), Crossrail, and other bodies across Britain to ensure that there is coverage in underground stations, metro systems, back office areas and tunnels that is as good as, or better than, that offered by the current Airwave solution.

This is cutting-edge technology and we have always said that we will not be taking any risks with public safety and so Airwave will continue until the emergency services have completed transition on to ESN.