§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if MOD personnel on duty at Heathrow airport have been involved in any incidents since their regular deployment.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere were no incidents involving military personnel during their recent deployment at Heathrow airport.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what instructions are issued to military personnel regarding their authority in respect of civilians at Heathrow airport;
(2) if armed troops currently deployed in terminals at Heathrow airport have the power of arrest of civilians.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Army units deployed at Heathrow airport operate under the instructions of the Metropolitan police, and all military patrols are accompanied by at least one police officer. Service men involved have no legal powers beyond those of any other citizen.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list all British airports where armed military personnel have been on regular duty during 1991.
(2) who requested the presence of armed military personnel in the terminals at Heathrow airport and when; and how much longer they will remain on duty.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonArmy units have been deployed in 1991 at Heathrow and Gatwick airports at the request of the Metropolitan and Sussex police forces respectively. The deployment at Heathrow airport, which began on 16 January 1991, was terminated on 10 March, and that at Gatwick on 20 January 1991, 48 hours after it commenced.