§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it became routine for police officers at(a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick publicly to display sidearms; why this was considered necessary; and who authorised this practice.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggArmed police officers at Heathrow Airport have carried unconcealed sidearms while dressed in shirt sleeve order for several years, and, since 14 December 1987, while dressed in full uniform. At Gatwick airport sidearms have been carried unconcealed by officers in shirt sleeve order since 16 October 1987. In each case the decision was taken by the chief officer of police (the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the chief constable of Sussex constabulary respectively) in accordance with his responsibility for all operational matters, for the greater comfort of the officers concerned, and in order to render their sidearms more accessible in an emergency.