HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 cc4-5W
Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what restrictions are imposed by his departmental regulations on the taking airside of(a) cameras and (b) mobile phones by holders of temporary airside passes at British airports; [69072]

(2) what security screening requirements are imposed by his departmental regulations on holders of temporary airside passes before they can go airside at British airports; [69057]

(3) what is the maximum length of time laid down in his departmental regulations for which a temporary airside pass can be issued at a British airport; [69073]

(4) what the rules are under his departmental regulations on checking of references before the issue of a temporary airside pass at British airports; [69056]

(5) how many breaches of his departmental regulations covering the issue of temporary airside passes at British airports were confirmed during (a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [69058]

Dr. Reid

References are required only for the issue of a permanent pass. Temporary passes are issued on the basis of proof of identity, but such passholders must be escorted at all times. They are normally issued for up to three days, although a limited number of "special" passes are issued for temporary access up to 31 days when this is justified. Temporary pass holders are required to undergo the same screening process as all permanent staff and passengers before entry to the Restricted Zone of an airport. There are no Departmental Regulations restricting holders of temporary airside passes from taking cameras and mobile telephones airside. However, all items taken airside are searched and particular attention is given to electrical and electronic equipment, such as cameras and mobile telephones.

There have been no breaches of the Department's Regulations on the issuing of airside passes at British airports in 1997 or 1998.

Following an article in a newspaper on 20 January, Ministers ordered an immediate inquiry into how a journalist had obtained a temporary pass to Heathrow airport by posing as a cleaner; also that an urgent reappraisal of the regulations governing the issue of passes at UK airports be carried out.

At the same time, all the temporary passes issued to the company concerned were withdrawn, with no new ones to be issued until the Department's inspectors were satisfied that the necessary procedures were being carried out. These actions are currently being pursued, but it is too early to comment further.