§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) under what statutory authority security companies operate at British airports;
(2) what guidance he issues on the criteria to be used in recruiting security firms at British airports.
§ Mr. McLoughlinSecurity companies offer a wide range of services. The arrangements under which they perform those services are a matter between themselves and their clients. The fact that some of the tasks they are engaged to carry out may be performed wholly or partly at airports does not make those arrangements in general a matter for my right hon. Friend. However, under directions made by the Secretary of State under the Aviation Security Act 1982 airport managers and aircraft operators have various obligations in relation to aviation security. They may use their employees or agents to fulfil these obligations. It is a requirement of current directions that any security companies engaged for this purpose must be members of the British Security Industry Association or the International Professional Security Association. The 393W Government will be responding in due course to the points made about this requirement by the Transport Select Committee in paragraph 56 of its recent report on airport security.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further steps he is taking to improve security at British airports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinWe are determined to improve aviation security. The very full answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Sir G. Johnson Smith) by my right hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon), the then Secretary of State, on 24 April at columns448–50, announced a range of new initiatives. These are being followed through vigorously, and we shall not hesitate to take any further steps which may be necessary.