HC Deb 17 December 2002 vol 396 c696W
23. Tom Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans to improve safety(a) at airports and (b) on board aircraft. [85923]

Mr. Jamieson

The Government, the Civil Aviation Authority and the aviation industry as a whole work together at all times to maintain the present high safety and security standards at UK airports and on board aircraft using our airports. These standards are monitored and further improvements made wherever appropriate.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve security checks on aircraft crews; and if he will make a statement. [87503]

Mr. Jamieson

Under arrangements being brought in next year, UK aircrew will be subject to five-year reference and criminal record checking. We have already ordered that a study be carried out into the benefits to security of conducting additional checks on crews, balanced against the practicalities of undertaking them. This study will be completed early in the New Year.