§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Minister for Trade if he will remove the present restrictions on the carriage of cabin baggage on flights between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. SproatI am aware that travellers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland find the existing arrangements tiresome, and that they regard some features as anomalous and discriminatory. I have recently reviewed the restrictions, and I am confident that with present searching techniques the rules can now be eased without adverse effect on the security of flights to and from Northern Ireland. Accordingly, with effect from 23 June 1982, all passengers on such flights will be allowed to retain one item of baggage in the cabin, provided that its total dimensions—that is, the sum of its length, width, and depth—do not exceed 40 in. This definition will accommodate large brief cases and most items of a size suitable for underseat stowage. There will be no abnormal restrictions on contents, but all items allowed in the cabin will be subject to very thorough scrutiny.