Bexhill and Battle MP speaks during Brussels terror attack debate

Huw Merriman spoke during an emergency debate in the House of Commons yesterday (Wednesday, March 23), held after 31 died in two bomb attacks at the city’s airport and at a metro station.

The MP also asked residents to extend their sympathies and solidarity to all those affected by the attacks in Belgium.

“Many commuters, who I share my daily train journey with, are unaware of what they should do in the event of a terror attack,” Mr Merriman said after the debate.

“I would rather recognise that this threat exists, and help prepare and train the public to deal with it, than close my eyes to it and persuade myself that it will not happen.

“Hopefully, we will never need to put this in action but, as the attacks in Belgium show us, we live in a dangerous world and we must all ensure that we are well prepared.

“I will be pursuing this idea and would like the publicity rolled out to commuters in my constituency.”

The Stay Safe principles are Run – if you can and if there is a safe route; Hide – if you can’t run; and Tell – call 999.

Mr Merriman urged the home secretary Theresa May to assess if these instructions could be more prominently advertised by rail operators and airport authorities so more people will be aware.

Concluding his participation in the debate, he said: “The Stay Safe message may be a bleak one, but our constituents would be all the safer for having understood it.”

The home secretary said she found the suggestion interesting and wanted to refer it to the transport department for them to consider if the principles could be advertised on trains and at airports.

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