HL Deb 19 November 1996 vol 575 cc1189-91

3 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied that there are adequate checks to discover whether security staff at airports have had connections with criminal or terrorist activities.

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, following the passing of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act in 1990, a new and rigorous security programme was put in place in the UK. However, we are continually reviewing methods of improving security, and it was decided in August of this year that all security staff working at UK airports should be subject to formal counter-terrorist checks.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that very satisfactory reply. Have the Government had reason to suspect that convicted thieves, or friends of drug traffickers or of terrorists, have infiltrated these security services? Are not safety and reduction of crime more important than any supposed diminution of civil liberty arising from disclosure of police records or past convictions?

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, of course my noble friend is quite right that safety of airports, aeroplanes and air transport is of prime importance. He also drew attention to the suspicions of infiltration of sensitive areas by known criminals. The new arrangements are being brought in as a means of improving aviation security generally and they have not stemmed from any specific incident. The Government remain committed to a long-term process of refining and developing security procedures.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, as I understand it, amendments are being tabled in connection with the Police Bill to address some of these issues? They will come before the Committee quite shortly. As it appears that the situation in this country has much improved as a result of the changes outlined by the Minister concerned recently, it is extremely important to ensure that, so far as possible, we have a harmonised approach internationally on such matters. If there is any disparity in procedures at major airports throughout the world, we shall be or are likely to be affected in this country. Are the Government taking any initiatives in the International Civil Aviation Organisation or elsewhere?

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, the noble Lord is quite right. The Police Bill will bring forward the issue of the criminal records agency. However, that has nothing to do with the counter-terrorist checks that will be made by the Department of Transport. They will involve checks on criminal records and also a security service terrorist database.

The noble Lord also asked whether we were acting on an international basis. Of course, the security of airports is paramount. This country is quite justifiably regarded as taking a lead in the matter. Following the disaster at Lockerbie, Her Majesty's Government pressed the international community, through the ICAO, to adopt an eight-point plan to improve aviation security. That involves items such as baggage-passenger reconciliation, all hold baggage to be screened and also the legislation required for that purpose. We are not complacent and we look forward to reducing the security risks further.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, further to that reply, will the Minister indicate what progress has been made following the post-Lockerbie initiative?

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, I thought that I had answered that point. We have baggage-passenger reconciliation when boarding aeroplanes. There are plans for all hold baggage to be screened, and a great deal of money and research and development has gone into that. We also have the Transport Security Division, headed by a security professional with direct access to Ministers. In addition, staffing has quadrupled since Lockerbie.

Lord Geddes

My Lords, I declare an interest as a non-executive director of Regional Airports. Can my noble friend say, n the context of his first reply to my noble friend Lord Campbell of Croy, whether security staff at the smaller regional airports will also be put through the same security checks?

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, my understanding is that that is correct. However, if I am wrong I shall let my noble friend know.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that the improvements which he indicated in his first reply will apply to existing security staff as well as to new applicants to the services?

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, my noble friend raises an interesting point. Careful consideration has been given to whether we should make the new arrangements retrospective, but it was decided that they should apply only to new applicants.