§ 14. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current practice relating to the searching of passengers and their baggage at London Airport, Heathrow.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisPassengers and baggage at Heathrow and other United Kingdom airports are being searched by both British and overseas airlines to the extent recommended by the Government.
§ Mr. HuckfieldWill the hon. Gentleman accept that the staff morale situation was considerably aggravated by the previous administration's being favourably disposed to the employment of private security firms? Will he accept that there is now an acceptance that he is taking a more helpful attitude? Can he also see that the best boost to staff morale and to public accountability generally would be if there were no private security firms at Heathrow?
§ Mr. DavisMy hon. Friend will recognise that I have asked for a departmental examination of the role of private security organisations employed at Heathrow by the airlines. It would be premature of me to make any observation about this examination at this stage. Since it involves questions of security, the 1216 report will not be published. My hon. Friend will realise that I shall be taking the appropriate action when the report is in my hands.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopWhat action is being taken about the failure of whoever conducted the search to inform the police in time that within the last couple of days a passenger was found in illegal possession of ammunition and was allowed to continue on a flight to Dublin?
§ Mr. DavisThis is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. If the hon. Gentleman wishes me to pursue his inquiry I shall certainly do so if he will write to me.