HL Deb 03 November 1999 vol 606 cc90-1WA
The Earl of Dartmouth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What rights airport security staff have in relation to searching and questioning private citizens, what is the statutory or other basis for these rights, and whether the police are obliged to take representations or requests for action from airport security staff more seriously than those made by private citizens. [HL4397]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

Aerodrome managers are required to search passengers and the items they carry before they may enter restricted zones of airports. Searches must be to a standard sufficient for the aerodrome manager to be satisifed that no prohibited articles are carried. Separately, aircraft operators are required to question passengers at check-in about their baggage in order to identify whether there has been opportunity for the baggage to be interfered with. Searches and questioning may be carried out by employees or agents of the aerodrome manager and aircraft operator. These requirements are set down in legally enforceable directions made under the Aviation Security Act 1982 (as amended by the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990) and are to protect the travelling public from acts of unlawful interference.