House of Lords
Wednesday, 16th January 2002.
The House met at half-past two of the clock: The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford.
Airline and Airport Security
Lord Janner of Braunstone asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will take further steps to increase security for passengers and crews of British civilian aircraft.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): My Lords, we already have measures in place to deter the hijacking of passenger aircraft. They were substantially enhanced on and following 11th September. Following the attacks in the United States, the Cabinet Office commissioned through the Committee on Domestic and International Terrorism an urgent and wide-ranging review of aviation security. As a result, a number of issues have been identified that may well result in further additional security measures being imposed upon airports and airlines.
Lord Janner of Braunstone: My Lords, I thank my noble and learned friend for his answer. Is he able to give more details of the action the Government propose taking to give aircraft passengers a much greater sense of security and safety? Specifically, are the Government proposing to implement any new measures following last month's attempt by the shoe bomber on the flight from Paris to the United States? The attempt has given rise to very great apprehension.
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, although it would be wrong for me to go into too much detail about the precise action being taken, the committee that I mentioned is considering matters such as systems to check passport validity, acceleration of work on security equipment, extended background checks on airport employees and revised aircrew security training. Those are only some examples.
My noble friend asked about the consequences arising from the shoe bomber incident. I should make it clear that we have both the physical and technical means of detecting whether a shoe has been modified, and those security measures are in regular use at UK airports. Since the incident, UK airports have been paying particular attention to footwear during the security screening of passengers.
Lord Ackner: My Lords, has any addition or alteration been made to flight deck security? As I have said previously, only on Israeli airlines is the door to
the flight deck locked before departure and unlocked only after the aircraft lands. Consequently, if any terrorist sought entry, threatening, for example, to blow up the plane unless the door was opened, the threat would be ignored. Have we in place any proposals to improve the current situation in which there has been free and very liberal use by passengers of the invitation to visit the flight deck?
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, the Civil Aviation Authority, with United States and European colleagues, is urgently examining the design of cockpit doors to determine which types of hardening and locking mechanisms are most compatible with safety standards. As an interim measure, the CAA issued a fast-track procedure to enhance in-flight security, allowing modifications to aircraft cockpit doors to be made to prevent unauthorised access without endangering aircraft safety. The CAA required all UK operators to lock cockpit doors with effect from 18th September. No visits to the flight deck are allowed.
Baroness O'Cathain: My Lords, I declare an interest as a director of British Airways. As the Minister said, the CAA now requires all British aircraft to lock cockpit doors. Will the Government put their weight behind that and say that it is a statutory requirement?
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, as the noble Baroness said, the current CAA guidance is clear to all who must follow it. As for the Government's position, the review to which I referred will advise us on its conclusions. Our position will subsequently be made clear.
Lord Carlile of Berriew: My Lords, bearing in mind that those boarding transatlantic flights at Kennedy airport currently have to remove their shoes for inspection before entering the departure area, but that those boarding transatlantic flights at London Heathrow airport do not, will the Minister confirm that all inquiries have been made to ensure that the British security equipment is able in all cases to detect every known explosive or explosive device that could be concealed in a shoe without the shoe being removed and put through the X-ray machinery?
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, one can never give absolute guarantees on security, and I would not seek to do so in any answer that I gave. As I indicated in answer to the initial Question asked by my noble friend, Lord Janner, we have the physical and technical means to detect modification, and guidance has been given. The implication of the noble Lord's question is that we are not doing as well as, for
example, the United States. The advice I have is that we believe that such detection is more likely in this country than anywhere else.
Lord Campbell-Savours: My Lords, is this not yet another argument in favour of the introduction of national identity cards which contain much data?
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, I am reluctant to be drawn into that argument. It is a long step from bombs in shoes to identity cards.
Viscount Astor: My Lords, will the Minister tell us how many recommendations the Government have received from the Civil Aviation Authority and how many have been implemented? Do they expect to receive more recommendations from the CAA?
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, I cannot give an answer as regards the number of such recommendations. However, I should make it absolutely clear that the CAA is engaged with government—that is exactly as it should be—in trying to identify what specific further measures should be taken in addition to those adopted in the immediate aftermath of 11th September and since 11th September. I shall write to the noble Viscount as regards the specific questions he asked.
Lord Mackie of Benshie: My Lords, how good are the arrangements for checking heavy luggage carried in the hold? In the days before September 11th, if a passenger with checked-in luggage did not turn up for the flight great efforts were made to remove his or her luggage in case it contained a bomb. However, if certain passengers want to be blown up, that precaution is meaningless. Therefore, it is necessary to examine with great care luggage that is carried in the hold.
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, that important point about luggage is being considered by the committee to which I referred. I shall write to the noble Lord with details.
Euro: Economic Tests
2.44 p.m.
Lord Boardman asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the latest estimates of Treasury expenditure in the financial year 2001–02 on assessing the economic tests on the advantages and disadvantages of joining the euro.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, the Government have said that they will complete an assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. The assessment has not yet started but the necessary preliminary analysis—technical work that is necessary to allow us to
undertake the assessment within two years as promised—is under way. No separate budget allocation has been made for the preliminary and technical work for 2001–02.
Lord Boardman: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. However, if the assessment of the economic tests indicates that joining the euro is not clearly and unambiguously to the economic advantage of this country, will the Government put off any question of a referendum during the lifetime of this Parliament?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, we shall undertake a referendum only if the five tests are met so that there is a clear and unambiguous case for joining.
Lord Barnett: My Lords, assuming the economic tests still stand, does my noble friend accept that it is rare for two economists to agree on almost anything? Does he therefore accept that the final decisions will be made by non-economists; namely, the Cabinet?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I can certainly confirm in response to the noble Lord's first point that the five economic tests set out in October 1997 are still in force. My objective in responding to these matters is to sound as far as possible like a "speak your weight" machine. As regards what economists and non-economists will do, the Treasury will carry out the assessment, the Chancellor will present that assessment to the Cabinet and the Cabinet will make a recommendation to Parliament. Parliament will then decide on a referendum so that the final decision is taken by the British people who are in the main not economists.
Lord Taverne: My Lords, would not government money be best spent on persuading British industry to adapt to the existence of the single currency? The Treasury must be well aware that major reorganisations have occurred among large companies on the Continent to adapt their strategies to the existence of, and the opportunities offered by, the new currency. Is there not a danger that by prolonging uncertainty the Government will again put British industry at a disadvantage, as happened when the Common Market was founded and similar large reorganisation took place on the Continent but not in Britain? The Prime Minister seems worried about the matter, but is it not a case that we shall never learn?
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