What do these people want, and how can we help them achieve that, without death, injury and terror?

However, current emergency plans do seem to ignore the needs of the hundreds of thousands of ordinary commuters and travellers, not all of whom are young and fit or equipped for long walks or sleeping rough.

Public buildings are quickly shut, all public transport stopped etc. etc.

In other circumstances there have been similar problems when people were recently left baking for hours in a stranded train or trapped overnight on a snowed-up motorway.

In recent years we seem to have lost the useful humane services previously provided by WRVS and Red Cross volunteers etc. It is good to hear that religious organisations yesterday reacted so promptly.

Current emergency plans appear to deal well with the most badly injured, but really do need an extra level to care for the uninjured.

Ps. It was humbling today to receive a message of concern from someone whose small district of Sri Lanka lost more than 4500 people in the Tsunami.

On the last point, yes…I was due to speak at St Georges, Queen Sq Holborn on the day but that was taken over and the vicar was out comforting. Also Friends House, as I mentioned, opened up. Good to see the Sally Army had vans out dispensing tea also.

Regarding yesterday’s outrages:

– Ken Livingstone spoke well.

– The BBC needs to review its Radio/TV response: Too much “shock/horror,” too little accurate, useful information.

– Official emergency plans should deal more compassionately with the needs of ordinary commuters and travellers: Providing temporary facilities for shelter, toilets and refreshments etc. Apparently some churches did their best.