Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan MP questioned the Transport Secretary during Questions, on July 2, about Heathrow airport and testing issues affecting many people who work in the aviation industry in the Chesham & Amersham constituency.

Dame Cheryl asked Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport: “As the Secretary of State will know, many of my constituents in Chesham & Amersham depend on Heathrow for their work.

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"Does the Government plan to introduce a Covid-19 testing programme for airports and is he working with our trading partners to establish that common international standard for health screening to accommodate the aviation sector and rebuild consumer confidence in our airports and our aviation industry?”

The Secretary of State replied: “I thank my Rt Hon Friend. She is absolutely right.

"It is very important to ensure that we can provide assurance for passengers but also do something useful with the screening, perhaps beyond just what asking people to take a temperature check provides and so we are actively working with Heathrow and other airports to put exactly those kinds of schemes in place.

"I will be saying more about those in time for the following review of air corridors.”

Speaking after the questions session Dame Cheryl said: ” The Government’s announcement on 'air bridges' with lower risk countries is a very welcome boost for those who rely on aviation.

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"However we need to work with our trading partners to establish a Common International Standard for health screening.

"Heathrow Airport has told me that they would support the Government introducing a Covid-19 testing programme for passengers to add another layer of protection.

"Heathrow has also made the wearing of facemasks mandatory to help ensure a safer environment.”