To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement of 14 November on national security, from which airports passengers will be allowed to fly with more than one item of hand luggage in 2008; and if she will make a statement. (165661)

My right hon. Friend's written statement of 14 November explained that airports will be allowed to make changes to the one bag rule from 7 January 2008. Airport authorities are working with their key stakeholders (including airlines) to complete proposals which seek the Department's approval for the removal of the one cabin bag regulation at their airport. They will need to be able to show that they will have in place the screening capacity to be able to handle the additional cabin bags, whether by the use of new technology and procedures, or by deploying extra staff or other resources.