HC Deb 06 March 1970 vol 797 cc184-5W
Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire into the circumstances which permitted an official of the British Air Lines Pilots Association to walk through the security net at Heathrow Airport into the central terminal area and the aircraft maintenance centre without challenge at any point; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Well publicised attempts, whether successful or not, to penetrate into the operational area at Heathrow are bound to lead to at least a partial revelation of the details of security measures and thus afford practical assistance to a would-be assailant. I therefore greatly hope that there will be no repetition of this incident. It must, however, be acknowledged that it has brought to light some remediable weaknesses in the security arrangements, and appropriate measures have been put in hand. I expect to receive further reports and I shall continue to take a close personal interest in this problem.