§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes in security standards and procedures have been made at Heathrow Airport; and what factors led to them.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department keeps under review all of its security requirements, including standards and procedures, but has not made any recent changes specific to Heathrow airport. A number of changes to improve the standard of aviation security have been introduced over the last year, affecting the majority of airports and airlines subject to the United Kingdom national aviation security programme, including Heathrow. These changes include the introduction of an air cargo security regime, accounting and authorising international hold baggage for carriage, and the continuing introduction of international hold baggage screening. These are examples of the Government's continuing commitment to aviation security and the ICAO eight-point plan.