HC Deb 06 November 1972 vol 845 cc43-4W
49. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to protect British civil aviation from the danger of hijacking by persons boarding aeroplanes at airports in Libya, Algeria, Lebanon, Egypt and other States actively encouraging air piracy.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Her Majesty's Government are in close contact with United Kingdom airlines and advise them of the threat to their operations both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Our airlines are taking appropriate security measures in the United Kingdom and, subject to local laws and practices, at foreign airports.

Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether in view of Libya's open complicity in acts of air piracy, he will take action to halt flights to and from Great Britain and Libya.

Mr. Onslow

Action of the kind proposed would not be effective or justified except within a widely supported international framework providing for the establishment of the facts of cases and for consultation on any joint action to be taken. Her Majesty's Government are taking an active part within the International Civil Aviation Organisation in the consideration of an international convention for this purpose.