Working with police and other agencies, my Department works to maintain effective and proportionate security regimes that seek to minimise vulnerability across the transport networks. For obvious reasons it is not our practice to detail all of the required measures or procedures.
Since the terrorist attacks of 7 July 2005, the focus of attention has understandably been on the preparedness of the capital to respond to and deal with any future terrorist attack. However, we have seen from Madrid how other commuter or domestic rail services may be viewed as a potential target. What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to ensure that train operating companies are engaged in the threat reduction process, and what role does he see for the British Transport police in that regard now that the plans for the police merger have been dropped?
I have discussed a range of such issues with the Association of Train Operating Companies as well as with the chief constable of the British Transport police. I am glad to say that following the conclusion of the review in relation to the future of the BTP we can now move forward, and those discussions will continue against a backdrop of significantly increased funding. Resource spending for the BTP has risen from £167 million in 2004, when the British Transport police authority was established, to £220 million now, and the number of police officers has increased by 20 per cent. during the last two years, up from 2,280 officers in 2004 to 2,780 officers in 2006. In addition, 200 police community support officers have been recruited in the last two years.
I understand that Manchester airport did a very good job in handling the issues that arose at the difficult time of the enhanced threat of terrorist attacks in August; considering what passengers reported, it probably did better than elsewhere. Does my right hon. Friend therefore think it appropriate to ask Manchester to give some pointers from their better experience in handling such matters? Clearly we want to thank it for the good work that it did for my constituents and those from elsewhere, but we also need to understand why things went better at Manchester.
I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in congratulating Manchester. I did so to the head of the Manchester Airport Group only last month, and it is a matter of public record that in my interviews on radio at the time I acknowledged the outstanding contribution that Manchester airport staff made in very challenging operational circumstances. I hope that my hon. Friend will also be reassured that we are in constant dialogue not just with BAA but with other airport operators about what lessons can be learned from the events of 10 August.
Is the Secretary of State aware that up to four police forces operate at airports such as Heathrow, with not one in overall control? May not that have contributed to some of the chaos that occurred during the summer, and will he carry out an independent review of the circumstances leading up to those events?
The hon. Gentleman is right to the extent that there has been a review of policing at our airports, but on the basis of that report I am not convinced that it contributed to the challenges that we faced, which were very distinctive in relation to a particular alleged plot that was foiled on 10 August. I place on record my gratitude and admiration for the work that was taken forward, not just by BAA management but by trade unions, employees and many others at Heathrow airport. We should remember that, in the face of an unprecedented level of threat, the airport stayed open, a significant number of flights continued to operate, albeit with delay—and that Heathrow is literally the busiest airport in the world. In those circumstances, of course we should look at what lessons can be learned, but we should be careful about bandying around words such as “chaos”.
The House will be aware that the only successful terrorist attack to date has occurred against the transport system in London—but if we think that that will continue to be the case, clearly we are deluded. Can the Secretary of State therefore explain why anti-suicide-bomber barriers have already been mounted in places such as London Victoria, whereas places such as Manchester Victoria, and many of the other regional stations, have absolutely nothing?
It is a matter of newspaper coverage that there has been a trial of such barriers here in London for a fixed period. While we evaluate the conclusions of that review, I would not wish to anticipate what steps we might take. I would also ask the indulgence and appreciation of the House for the fact that these are not matters that we often wish to discuss in public—but if it would be helpful to the hon. Gentleman, I will certainly write to him on the matter.