§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make make a statement on security at Gatwick airport;
(2) what guidance he has given to the British Airports Authority on the issue of temporary passes at British Airports Authority establishments;
(3) what guidance he has given to the British Airports Authority on the hiring of cleaning staff at British Airports Authority establishments.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerMy Department has asked the BAA to investigate the recent attempts by a newspaper reporter to breach security procedures at Gatwick. We shall then consider with the BAA and the airlines concerned what remedial action is necessary. Large numbers of staff need to go airside at airports. We have given airport authorities general advice on the issuing of airside passes and on the need to give the staff concerned security briefings. Currently we are considering ways in which the issuing of airside passes can be strictly controlled by airports. Airlines have long been advised by the Department to control access to their aircraft and to ensure that aircraft are brought into service free from hazard.