HC Deb 18 April 1994 vol 241 cc396-7W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when consultations took place between the Northern Ireland Office and operators of the Northern Ireland international airport, and the representative organisation of the employees in respect of the future pension arrangements; and whether it was conducted by means of(a) a meeting, (b) correspondence or (c) both.

Mr. Tim Smith

In response to concerns expressed about the future pension arrangements for employees at Belfast international airport, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland wrote to the Northern Ireland committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union on 11 August 1993.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he, or a Minister from his Department, will meet the Northern Ireland Airports Police Association to discuss the future policing of the airport following the passing of the recent order relating to the airport's future management.

Mr. Tim Smith

My predecessor met representatives of the Belfast Airport Police Association on 7 September 1993. At that meeting and in subsequent correspondence, he discussed in detail the arrangements for the future policing of Belfast international airport. If the association has any queries additional to those already discussed, I will be happy to provide an explanation.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implications of privatisation for the powers of constables in the Northern Ireland airports police.

Mr. Tim Smith

On privatisation of Belfast international airport there will be no change to the existing powers of airport constables.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has studied the circumstances surrounding the need for Parliament to pass the British Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994 following the management and commercial reorganisation of British Rail, with a view to ascertaining if there will be a need for any comparable legislation in relation to the Northern Ireland Airports Police following the management and commercial reorganisation at the Belfast international airport.

Mr. Tim Smith

The proposed privatisation of Belfast international airport will not involve any changes to the jurisdiction of the airport constabulary. The Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994 has no implications for the statutory provision for airport policing in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the existing pension conditions arrangements for employees at Northern Ireland international airport will be maintained following the coming into force of the order that set up a separate company to operate the airport in anticipation of its privatization.

Mr. Tim Smith

When the assets of Northern Ireland Airports Limited are transferred to the successor company, the pension rights of airport employees will be preserved by way of a deed.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if pension arrangements for employees of the Northern Ireland international airport will be protected following privatisation.

Mr. Tim Smith

It would be inappropriate and contrary to established policy to give assurance concerning the continued assumption after the sale of the successor company of pension fund obligations by any new owner of Belfast international airport.