§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his reply of 4 July to the hon. Member for Derby North, Official Report, column 220, whether he has yet come to any conclusions in his review of the security measures that apply to airports and airlines in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the security arrangements for passengers boarding aircraft of British airlines.
§ Mr. RidleyAt a meeting I held on 27 June with some of the major airlines and airports represented on the National Aviation Security Committee it was agreed that, although a high standard of security was achieved at British airports, there was scope for some enhancement of present arrangements. These matters have now been discussed further in the National Aviation Security Committee.
Security would not be served by my giving full details. However, we are revising our existing measures for the security of hold baggage; among other things we intend to recommend to airlines the need to end "off-airport" check-in except where security is adequately safeguarded. These measures will be given statutory backing if necessary. We are reviewing access control at airports, other aspects of the security of airport terminals, and the security of cargo, including the latest technology for screening and handling. We shall also be reinforcing our advice to British airlines about security arrangements at overseas airports.