Mr. John P. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for he Home Department what is his policy on counter-terrorist checks at airports.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerUnder schedule 5 to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, the police may examine and detain any person who has arrived in or is seeking to leave Great Britain or Northern Ireland by ship or aircraft for the purpose of determining whether he or she appears to be or to have been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Controls unde schedule 5 to the 1989 Act are operated selectively by special branch officers at designated airports throughout the United Kingdom. The Government believe that port controls are an essential part of the national response to the threat of terrorism and they must remain in place as long as the circumstances require.
Mr. John P. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of Government resources were devoted to counter-terrorist checks at Cardiff Wales airport six months ago; and what is the level at the current time.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerIt is not the practice to disclose the size of special branch units at ports and airports. However, the costs of such units are met by the respective police authorities, subject to the payments of specific grant by my Department at a rate in the case of provincial forces of 51 per cent.