Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Scottish Government on the merger of British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland; and what steps have been agreed to maintain coordination of intelligence and operations between police forces.

The two Governments have established an official level Joint Programme Board (JPB) to oversee arrangements for delivering the transfer of the British Transport Police’s functions in Scotland. Membership of the Board includes representatives from both Governments, the two Police Authorities and the two Police Forces. Ensuring the continued effective policing of the railways once responsibilities are split between the British Transport Police and Police Scotland, including appropriate coordination arrangements, is a key component of the work of the Board.