Brussels, 30/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 29 April in Strasbourg, several MEPs expressed concerns about the Commission's proposal to harmonise the use of body scanners in EU airports. This draft regulation was adopted during the summer break and it is the first time it has been debated at the European Parliament.
Some MEPs considered that the Commission has failed to find the best possible balance between security imperatives and those pertaining to private life. Several MEPs, including Claude Moraes (S&D, United Kingdom), regretted that the Commission had chosen technical standards that enabled too clear images to be obtained. Other Socialists, such as Brian Simpson from the United Kingdom, nevertheless, approved the Commission approach and promised support from the European Parliament transport committee. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta (taxation, customs union and the fight against fraud) explained that all passengers had the choice of a body scanner being used or the usual body search. (SP/transl.fl)