HC Deb 17 September 2003 vol 410 c761W
Tom Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) who will cover the employment costs of sky marshals; [129223]

(2)how many sky marshals are available for duty on (a) UK airlines and (b) airlines flying into and out of the UK; [129224]

(3)how many sky marshals are being trained; and how long their training lasts; [129225]

(4)what the expected establishment of sky marshals will be; [129226]

(5)whether sky marshals are authorised to carry (a) firearms and (b) other weapons; [129227]

(6)whether (a) UK airlines and (b) foreign airlines are required (i) to opt in and (ii) to opt out of using sky marshals; and if he will list the airlines that have (A) opted in and (B) opted out. [129228]

Mr. McNulty

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport made a written statement on 19 December last year on the capability which has been developed to place specially trained armed police officers aboard UK civil aircraft. Security reasons preclude making public operational details of that capability. Other countries, with an equivalent capability in respect of flights by their own airlines, have adopted a similar approach.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many special marshals he has appointed; and from which budget funding for special marshals will come; [130951]

(2) what powers special marshals will have if a person refuses to hand over (a) alcohol and (b) cigarettes. [130952]

Mr. McNulty

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Carshalton & Wallington (Mr. Brake).