§ 3. Mr. Forthasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the arrangements for security at the new terminal 4 at Heathrow.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Michael Spicer)I have personally spent a good deal of time on security arrangements at London Heathrow in general and terminal 4 in particular. There can never be 100 per cent. certainty about preventive measures and there will be a need for constant vigilance and, no doubt, future refinements. I am, however, satisfied with the attention given to this matter by the British Airports Authority at Heathrow terminal 4, which is one of the world's most advanced from a security point of view. Security measures at British airports have been further stepped up in the past few days.
§ Mr. ForthI am most grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply and I am sure that we found it most reassuring, but he must be aware of the rather horrific stories that have been circulating recently about terminal 4 and the apparently easy access that some people have had to that terminal. Can he reassure the House that those stories will be taken seriously and will be investigated? What steps are being taken to examine baggage, both hand-held and destined for the cargo holds of aeroplanes, to ensure that there will be no repetition of certain disastrous events which have taken place in aircraft around the world?
§ Mr. SpicerI can certainly assure my hon. Friend that it is our firm aim to ensure that British airports are as secure in future as they have been in the past. Some of the stories that have arisen, as my hon. Friend has mentioned, have been misplaced. One particular newspaper claimed to have broken security when in fact the journalists had to go through security before they were able to take their pictures.
§ Mr. CartwrightIs the Minister aware of reports that security staff at Heathrow are not happy with the operation of machinery, which apparently failed to detect the presence of explosives at the airport last week? What action is he taking on the view of the staff that the only effective method of detection is a thorough hand search?
§ Mr. SpicerThat point of view can be substantiated in view of the present state of the art. The X-ray facilities have their inadequacies, but the system as a whole worked at Heathrow last week, for which I am grateful, and I am happy to report that to the House.
§ Mr. HigginsIs my hon. Friend satisfied that there are adequate facilities for security checks of passenger baggage going into the holds of aircraft? Are those facilities being used by the airlines?
§ Mr. SpicerOne can never say that one is entirely happy about anything to do with security checks. Both technological and practical procedures are available for dealing with baggage going into the holds of aircraft, and they are used as they apply.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyIs it not true that the only reason why the operation at Heathrow last week was successful was that the hand search revealed a discrepancy between the weight and the contents of a passenger's case? Is the Minister seriously suggesting that he is happy with the existing arrangements? If there are not sufficient staff, and if staff are not equipped properly, surely the problem will arise again?
§ Mr. SpicerA number of factors led to the detection at Heathrow. I do not think that the House would want me to go into all the details; suffice it to say that detection took place—
§ Mrs. DunwoodyEl Al.
§ Mr. SpicerOf course there are double systems for checking. The hon. Lady mentions El Al, and I can assure the House that other airlines have similar procedures and believe that a similar circumstance could have been detected.
§ Mr.DicksI disagree with my hon. Friend. I believe that security failed at Heathrow and that it was only the additional protection taken by El Al that prevented a disastrous incident. Can my hon. Friend assure me that the commerial viability of the airport will not take precedence over the security and safety of passengers?
§ Mr. SpicerI can give my hon. Friend the assurance that he seeks. A permanent balance must be struck between the convenience of passengers and the needs of security. In times of high tension, the need for security must clearly be paramount.
§ Mr. Tony BanksIn view of the enhanced security needs of Heathrow, will the Minister guarantee that no one-person-operated tube trains will enter the extension area? Will he go further and ask London Regional Transport to put guards in each of the carriages on tube trains entering the airport?
§ Mr. SpicerI cannot give the guarantee that the hon. Gentleman seeks. Obviously the security aspects of trains entering the airport will be closely monitored.