§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made in implementing the Wheeler Report on airline security, with specific reference to the concept of sky marshals. [118345]
§ Mr. JamiesonA substantial programme of work is in hand to implement Sir John Wheeler's recommendations on airport security. These ranged widely across measures to strengthen security on the ground, to address through more co-ordinated assessments any potential vulnerabilities arising from serious and organised crime at airports, and to improve the overall strategic direction of airport security. Useful progress is being made in all of these areas.
Sir John's review was confined to security at airports rather than in the air. The Government announced on 19 December last year the development of a capability to place covert, specially trained armed police officers aboard UK civil aircraft, should that be warranted.