Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answers of 29 January to Questions 212324 and 212323 on British Transport Police, what the relationship between his Department and the (a) British Transport Police Authority and (b) operations of the British Transport Police is.

(a) The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) is an independent Arm’s Length Body of this Department responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective police force for rail operators, rail staff and passengers. BTPA appoints the Chief Constable and senior officers, and is the employer of the BTP’s officers and staff. The Chair of the BTPA and its members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport.

(b) British Transport Police (BTP) is operationally independent with responsibility for the deployment of its resources lying with the Chief Constable.