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Airport set to use body scanners

CONTROVERSIAL body scanners which make passengers appear naked are to be introduced at Birmingham International Airport by the end of the month - it has been announced.
The Government has ordered the airport to introduce the equipment in the wake of the failed Christmas Day attempt by Nigeirian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who studied in the UK, to blow up a plane travelling from Amsterdam to Detroit.
The scanners, which have been at the centre of a privacy row, beam electromagnetic waves on to passengers to create an image displayed on a computer screen which shows travellers without clothes.
In a statement to the House of Commons this week Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the scanners would be used at Heathrow and Manchester airports immediately, and deployed at Birmingham over the course of the month.
They will eventually be installed at every airport across the country.
To start with passengers will be picked at random to go through the scanner - and will be barred from flying if they refuse.
However, it is only expected to be a matter of time before the scanner checks are compulsory for every passenger.
“In the immediate future, only a small proportion of airline passengers will be selected for scanning," added Lord Adonis.
"If a passenger is selected for scanning, and declines, they will not be permitted to fly.”
Solihull MP Lorely Burt has welcomed the use of the scanners for certain flights that may be of concern, but believes it should be an all or nothing approach to using them.
“This is a very intrusive process, even if it is necessary for security reasons," she added.
“My concern is that people who are singled out to go through these scanners might understandably feel very resentful.
“I would prefer we take an all or nothing approach. If we need to use these scanners at all on a flight of concern then it should apply to everyone.”
An Airport spokesperson, said: “We can confirm that, in line with a number of other airports, we expect to see the deployment of ‘imaging technology’ or bodyscanner here at Birmingham Airport within the next month.
"The date of any such machine coming on-line will depend on a number of factors, and we are not yet in a position to provide a definitive date as to when passengers can expect to see the technology in operation.
“We will continue to work closely with the relevant government agencies on this matter.”
* What do you think? Do you believe the use of body scanners is an infringement of our rights and is a sign that the terrorists have won or do you think it is a small price to pay for such a big step forward in security?
Write to or e-mail the editor at the usual addresses which can be found on page 8.

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  <b>Body scanners are set to be used at Birmingham Airport.</b>

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