Question to the Department for Transport:
What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the proposal to merge British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland.
The Scotland Act 2016, following the Smith Agreement, devolves responsibility for railway policing in Scotland. The Scottish Government have announced that, although full integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland remains the long-term ambition, other options are now being explored. The Government continues to work with the Scottish Government as they develop their plans and we remain committed to ensuring the continuing effectiveness of railway policing across the network.