EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT URGES REVIEW OF AIRPORT SECURITY RULES

2.07.53pm GMT Thu 6th Sep 2007

West Midlands holidaymakers could soon be able to carry greater quantities of liquids on planes according to a local Euro MP.

Since restrictions on onboard liquids were introduced last November, Liz has received many complaints from constituents across the West Midlands, many of whom are confused about the rules.

Local LibDem MEP Liz Lynne is a member of the Liberal Group which has been at the forefront of questioning the effectiveness of these measures. Today this resulted in the adoption of a resolution of the European Parliament which calls on the Commission to urgently review the regulation.

Speaking today from Strasbourg, Liz said:

"This resolution is an appeal to the European Commission to urgently look at the rules in place because my colleagues and I feel that they are disproportionate, inefficient as well as being inconsistently implemented across Europe."

"These rules were discussed in secret by EU governments at the behest of Tony Blair, with absolutely no democratic scrutiny. The text of the rules have never even been published. This is not the open, accountable government constantly promised."

"In an internal air transport market it makes no sense to have 27 different sets of national laws. But we have to make sure the measures are transparent, workable, proportionate and effective. It is now up to the Commission to hold a review and come up with more appropriate measures."