HC Deb 25 March 1970 vol 798 cc1427-8
33. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the European civil aviation meeting in Paris on 3rd March.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Yes, Sir.

The emergency European meeting about security of civil aviation, held in Paris on 3rd and 4th March, was attended by representatives of 19 European administrations. United Kingdom representatives played an active part.

At the meeting information was exchanged on risks and safeguarding measures. Arrangements were made for exchange of such information on a continuing basis. The meeting recommended establishment of airport committees on security at each of the main European airports. The meeting also resolved unanimously in favour of an Extraordinary Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation to deal with security of aviation world-wide.

A copy of the report of the European meeting is being placed in the Library.

As the House will know from the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Sir W. Bromley-Davenport) on 19th March, requests made accordingly by 10 European States, including the United Kingdom, have caused an Extraordinary Assembly of I.C.A.O. to be convened, and the I.C.A.O. Council plans that the Assembly will meet in Montreal on 16th June.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Has a security committee been set up at Heathrow as a result of this meeting? Can the hon. Gentleman shed any light on new screening procedures which may have been introduced?

Mr. Roberts

Measures had already been taken at Heathrow broadly on the lines, and in some respects overtaking the lines, indicated by the emergency meeting in Europe.

Mr. John Mendelson

Are the Government pressing ahead, in accordance with the assurance of the Foreign Secretary in the House, with an arrangement among the Powers concerned to hold responsible every Government which allows on its soil the preparation of criminal attacks on civil aviation?

Mr. Roberts

I think that my hon. Friend should follow that up with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, who has declared the Government's broad intention.