§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of contracts with details of the contracting parties and the purpose of such contracts, between his Department and private security companies or firms.
§ Sir G. HoweThese contracts are small and entered into locally as occasion requires; details of contracts could not be made available without disproportionate expenditure of time and effort. The purpose is the protection of public property.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to enter into new contracts with private security companies or firms, and what would be the purpose of such contracts.
§ Sir G. HoweThe services of these firms will continue to be used to protect public property when circumstances require it.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers of search, detection or arrest without warrant, and of the exercise of force beyond common law and existing statutory powers conferred on persons 238W other than constables are currently available to employees of private security companies or firms who have contracted with his Department; and what plans he has to extend the powers of such persons.
§ Sir G. HoweThe answer to both parts of the question is: none.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers of search, detection or arrest without warrant, and of the exercise of force beyond common law and existing statutory powers conferred on persons other than constables are currently available to employees of private security companies or firms who are engaged in duties at airports or seaports in the United Kingdom; and if he will give precise details of the plans which he has to extend such powers
§ Mr. OnslowPrivate security organisations as such have no powers beyond those of any other private citizen to search, arrest or use force at airports.
Any change in this position would depend on the provisions of the Protection of Aircraft Bill, and I cannot anticipate the outcome of discussion on the remaining stages of this legislation.
I am not aware of such powers either being available or being sought in respect of seaports.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees of private security companies or firms are now engaged in security work at airports or sea ports in the United Kingdom, specifying the number employed at each airport or sea port.
§ Sir G. HoweFull information in the form requested is not available. Including its own employees, the British Airports Authority employs 190 civilians on security duties at its airports; BOAC 190 and British Caledonian 43 in the United Kingdom; and BEA 138 at Heathrow. No figures are available for seaports.