REGARDING security breaches at the UK's main airports (weekend national news).

As an employee for British Airways, and one who has been issued with an airside security pass, I would like to say that our security checks and systems at our major international airports in the UK are some of the best in the Western world. I can recall when I joined Service Air at Gatwick Airport in 1991 and then British Airways at Heathrow in 1993 the comprehensive and vigorous checks I encountered to obtain an airside security pass. To obtain an airside security pass the following is required by an employee:-

1. Proof of the last two previous employers.

2. The last two addresses.

3. Your passport and driving license.

4. A list of security questions and health checks.

5. Personal references and work references.

All of these factors are checked and scrutinized for verification. This process can take up to two weeks. In the meantime a temporary pass can be issued but one must be escorted on all occasions when airside.

The process to obtain a vehicle pass is similar to that of Embassy vehicles and escort vehicles but strict checking is required at vehicle check post points. I have had the opportunity of working in all three of the main UK airports -- Manchester, Gatwick and Heathrow. The process of obtaining a security pass from the British Airports Authority and from the Department of Transport is very difficult. I have seen people being refused jobs because the British Airport Authorities (BAA) and the Department of Transport are not satisfied with the references.

The incident which happened over the weekend, which made national headlines both on television and in the newspapers, exposing lapses in security at Gatwick, shows the actual security staff need to be more vigilant. The process whereby permanent security passes are issued is very stringent, but the process for issuing temporary ID passes needs to be further investigated. I believe the weekend episode was an example of human error. Airport staff going into security areas have to have their security passes swiped and given clearance by automated machines linked to a mainframe computer. But those entering in vehicles and passing through secured areas normally have their ID's manually checked, which I believe is prone to human error.

In the weekend incident journalists wearing airline uniform gained access to a secured area. I believe computerised checking facilities need to be installed at vehicle check post points when entering the airport area. I have written to the Department of Transport and the Transport Secretary making my recommendations as to the improvement of manual checks and automated clearance of vehicles.

As regards these people gaining access on board an aircraft, may I further state that when these aircraft are catered, cleaned and serviced and taken from their base to the actual boarding points, further checks are made by ADI (Aviation Defence International). These are highly-qualified aircraft security specialists whose main job is to examine the whole aircraft before departure, both manually and automated, to see if the aircraft is 100pc safe to fly.

Finally, I would just like to state that British registered airlines and UK airports have some of the best safety and security records in the world and our airlines put health, safety and security before any other factor.

Haroon Rashid

Prospective Parliamentary

Candidate, Bolton South East,

Little Lever Conservative Club,

Little Lever, Bolton.