SCOTLAND BILL - REPORT (1st DAY)

24 February 2016: Clause 42: Policing of railways and railway property

Amendment 41 was moved by Lord Faulkner of Worcester
41: Clause 42, page 46, line 17, at end insert—

“( ) There shall be an agreement between the British Transport Police Authority and the Scottish Government to ensure that the British Transport Police continues to police railways and railway property in Scotland.”

Lord Faulkner of Worcester): My Lords, in moving Amendment 41, I shall speak also to Amendments 42, 43 and 44. I express my appreciation to noble Lords in all parts of the House who have supported Amendments 41 and 42, and I am happy to support my noble friend’s Amendment 43 and Amendment 44 proposed by the noble Lord, Lord Empey. These amendments give the Government a sensible way out of the dilemma that became very clear in relation to the role of the British Transport Police in Scotland when these difficulties were identified by noble Lords in Committee........

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