Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2017

Debate between Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and Lord Maxton

Wednesday 10th January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean]

Since 1826. Okay, so it is almost two centuries—certainly since there were first proper means of crossing the border at speed.

I just find it extraordinary. What can possibly be driving this? What can be the motivation? At a time when we are threatened by lone-wolf terrorists, travelling around the country, when we have seen attacks in Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, what on earth could be driving this? Why would someone want to break up an organisation which has a proven track record of success, which has shown great expertise, and which is specialist in its nature? How will the practical problems be resolved? Does the policeman have to get off at the station as soon as the train reaches the border and someone else come on board? What is driving this? I have come to the conclusion that the answer lies in the name—the British Transport Police. This is the sort of ideological battle that we thought we had put behind us in Scotland being translated into something that threatens the security of people in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

[Lord Maxton (Lab)]

There is no station at the border at all, whatever, in Scotland, between Scotland and England. The first station is Carlisle, which is in England.