Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the devolution of transport policing to Scotland.

The Government is committed to implementing the recommendation of the Smith Commission that the functions of the British Transport Police in Scotland should be devolved. Legislative competence was devolved through the Scotland Act 2016, and a Scottish Government Bill which makes provision about the arrangements for the Police Service of Scotland to police railways and railway property has recently completed its passage through the Scottish Parliament.

In devolving the functions, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition which ensures effective arrangements are in place for cross-border railway policing once responsibilities have been transferred, so that we continue to have a railway policing service which works for passengers, staff and the railway.