asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with progress made by the British Airports Authority in taking over from the private security industry responsibility for security checks at Heathrow Airport and other British Airports Authority airports.

Searching of passengers and hand baggage has now been taken over by staff employed by the British Airports Authority at Terminal 2 at Heathrow, and at all its other airports. They are taking over progressively in Terminals 1 and 3 over the next few months. I consider that the arrangements are working well.