London Underground: Security

Mr. Paul Goodman
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security measures are in place in relation to the vetting of workers on the London Underground.

Gillian Merron
[holding answer 5 December 2006]: I have been asked to reply.

Given the open nature of the underground system, the Department requires London Underground's nominated security contacts to be security vetted prior to receiving sensitive security information. London Underground's background checking procedures for potential employees are fully compliant with Government recommended standards and have been set up following advice from the Security Service's National Security Advice Centre.

London Underground and its contractors are required to comply with the requirements of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, which requires employers to check that individuals are entitled to live and work in the UK. London Underground also request details of the applicant's previous five years’ employment history and referees for that period and, when appropriate, they also request the disclosure of unspent criminal convictions and use the Government Security Vetting arrangements.