HC Deb 19 January 1981 vol 997 cc4-5
6. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he expects to be able to make any reduction in the costs of security provisions for airline passengers.

Mr. Eyre

My noble Friend does not propose to reduce the rate of the aviation security levy, but it will remain at its present level for the time being.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

To what extent does my hon. Friend consider that the charge of £4 for a round trip airline ticket represents the true economic cost of providing airport security? Is he aware that airports other than those run by the British Airports Authority, which employ private security companies, need to charge rather less than 50 per cent. of that figure to cover their costs? In those circumstances, is it not high time that the Government either reconsidered the charges that the British Airports Authority is having to levy, or the security levy in general?

Mr. Eyre

I am sure that my noble Friend will consider those points carefully. Centralised searching at Heathrow terminal 3 should lead to staff reductions, and similar arrangements at Gatwick are being considered. That will help to keep down the cost of the searching process.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

In view of the addition to costs and the disruption of services caused by the practice, always unnecessary, but quite unnecessary now, of flying British shuttle crews from Belfast to Glasgow every night so that they may escape the dangers to which 1½ million of their fellow citizens are exposed, will the Government take steps to bring the nonsense to an end, in everybody's interest?

Mr. Eyre

I shall ask my noble Friend to consider that. On the question of security costs generally, the answer is that the recent change made concerning flights to Northern Ireland has improved security and introduced greater convenience for passengers.

Mr. McCrindle

Why are there no plans to return those security tasks to private enterprise, bearing in mind the disproportionate rise in costs since the responsibility was passed to the British Airports Authority?

Mr. Eyre

The system of financing the security costs enables my Department to keep a closer check on the standard of security arrangements. However, I shall ask my noble Friend to consider that proposal carefully.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Is the Minister aware that the standards of training undertaken by virtually all private security companies before the changeover were grossly inadequate?

Mr. Eyre

I appreciate that a proper standard of skill is necessary, but it has been established widely at other airports. However, my noble Friend will certainly have regard to that matter.

Mr. Freud

Will the Minister think very carefully before committing the country to a whole new range of para-police personnel, as one finds at the moment in America, where one tends to be searched and manhandled by almost anyone with a flash on his shoulder?

Mr. Eyre

The hon. Gentleman's question goes far wider than the main question that I am answering—

Mr. Freud

No.

Mr. Eyre

The main question relates to important security matters concerning the safety of air passengers.