HC Deb 28 November 1996 vol 286 cc347-8W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which each country in the European civil aviation conference is screening checked in baggage and transfer baggage to a satisfactory standard; [5927]

(2) if he will list for each member of the European civil aviation conference the percentage of checked in baggage and transfer baggage screened for security purposes. [5928]

Mr. Bowis

All international transfer and unaccompanied baggage is at present subjected to security screening in the United Kingdom, and the introduction of 100 per cent. hold baggage screening is nearing completion. All ECAC member states have accepted that measures to screen all international hold baggage should be progressively introduced. They are individually responsible for achieving implementation to defined standards. It would not be appropriate for security reasons to provide further details.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when officials from Transec last inspected airports within Germany; and if they were satisfied with the results of the inspections. [5929]

Mr. Bowis

My Department does not inspect airports overseas, as these are under the jurisdiction of the relevant sovereign state. However, Transec inspectors do make visits to overseas airports to assess the security afforded to and conducted by British airlines.

Airports in Germany were last subject to such a visit in December 1994. It would be inappropriate for security reasons to comment on the results of this, or any other, security inspection.