LORD Foulkes suggests as a "sensible alternative" to the merger of British Transport Police BTP) with Police Scotland; that "BTP should remain intact, but that the Chief Constable of BTP should report to the Scottish Parliament and to Scottish Government Ministers on all operations in Scotland and all is-sues affecting Scotland" (“Lords told police merger is a threat to fight against terrorists”, The Herald, January 12). Is the noble Lord suggesting that this is not the case at present? If so, surely this is a compelling argument in favour of the merger of the two forces.

Willie Douglas,

252 Nether Auldhouse Road, Glasgow.