Skip to main content

Aviation: Security

Volume 461: debated on Tuesday 19 June 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government policy is on the adoption of harmonised aviation security regulations across Europe as defined in EC Regulation 2320/2002. (143348)

The UK was a strong advocate of the establishment of baseline security requirements across the European Union, and supports the principle of harmonisation for the benefits it can bring for travellers and industry. It is important however that member states are able to require additional aviation security measures in their own territory, where they judge this necessary for the proper protection of aviation interests and passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he next plans to assess the basis for the restrictions on the number of pieces of carry-on luggage allowed for passengers departing from UK airports; (143157)

(2) when he last assessed the basis for the restrictions on the number of pieces of carry-on luggage allowed for passengers departing UK airports;

(3) when he expects the restrictions on the number of pieces of hand luggage for airline passengers to be amended or removed.

The current security regulations remain under constant review. It is not possible to state when further adjustments might be made to the measures that apply to cabin baggage. However we have made clear throughout our readiness to remove the one bag limit once industry—collectively—is confident of its ability to deliver security effectively without it.