HC Deb 10 April 1989 vol 150 cc410-1W
Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the encouragement of research and experimentation into thermal neutron analysis machines to detect Semtex.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

As explained to the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 8 March at column 538, research and development work on this technique is being funded by a commercial organisation in the private sector under a contract with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's Harwell laboratory.

Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has assessed the efficiency of the recently produced thermal neutron analysis machines; whether he intends to introduce them at British airports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I refer to my reply to the question by the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 27 February at columns55–6.