Aircraft Hijacking (Security Measures) (Hansard, 28 October 1970)

§ Mr. Noble

I have been asked to reply.

The Government's prime aim has been to take all steps possible to prevent hijackers from boarding aircraft, and every effort has been made to achieve this object and to improve security arrangements generally. For obvious reasons it would be inadvisable to describe these measures in detail. But I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement outlining in general terms the security precautions which have been taken at British airports and by British airlines.

Following is the statement: Her Majesty's Government have for long been concerned about the increasing prevalence of acts of violence to civil aircraft; measures to prevent these by security precautions and international action have been pursued for some time past. At the outset, hijackings of civil aircraft were carried out primarily by persons seeking to reach another country mainly for political reasons. Serious and potentially dangerous though these incidents were, they resulted in inconvenience and expense rather than representing a direct threat to human life. The episodes of last September, however, in which innocent passengers and aircrew were seized by a politically motivated terrorist organisation and held to ransom introduced a new situation calling for intensified measures. The effectiveness of security measures depends on the closest co-operation between the Government on the one hand and airlines and airport authorities on the other. This is being maintained. It depends also on the good will of the travelling public. The Government and the civil aviation industry recognise the inconvenience and disruption caused by intensified security precautions. But they are confident that they can count on passengers to accept and co-operate in the measures which are being taken for their protection. The precautions taken by Her Majesty's Government include the following:

(i) British airlines and airports have been provided with the fullest information about 116 the potential threat and have been given all possible help and guidance in regard to security measures designed to ensure the safety of passengers, employees, aircraft, equipment and buildings.
(ii) Security committees, including representatives of airport management, airlines, the police, H.M. Customs and immigration control have been established at both Heathrow and Gatwick to co-ordinate security measures.
(iii) The security resources available to airlines and airport authorities have been augmented. For example, at Heathrow, the British Airport Authority Constabulary are currently being assisted by a large contingent from the Metropolitan Police. Similar assistance is being given at Gatwick by the Surrey County Constabulary. Contingency plans have been made for assistance by H.M. Forces in case of need.
(iv) Specific security measures which have been taken at Heathrow and Gatwick include the following: guarding of aircraft on the ground; closing of certain areas to access by spectators; intensified checking and scrutiny of passes; careful screening and searching of passengers; special restrictions on the carriage of hand baggage; close checks on cargo, mail and passengers' baggage carried in aircraft holds; special arrangements for checking late bookings.
(v) In addition to the physical searching of passengers referred to above, electronic devices for detecting weapons carried by passengers are already in use. More will be introduced as supplies become available; and more advanced devices are being tested. The Government's scientists and security specialists, in consultation with their colleagues in other countries, are investigating improved methods of detecting weapons and explosives.
(vi) Security experts have been sent to a number of airports overseas used by British airlines. Instructions to captains of aircraft and station managers that they have discretion to refuse any passenger to whom suspicion attaches have been re-emphasised.

The primary objective of all these precautions has been to ensure, so far as is possible, that no potential hijacker can gain access to an aircraft. The Government believe this to be the most effective line to pursue and the one which gives the best return in relation to the resources expended. Finally, the practical measures outlined above are being reinforced by collective international action. Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have supported from the outset and will continue to give their full support, to the efforts being made by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to secure international agreement on ways to deal with hijacking and other acts of violence against civil aircraft.