EIGHT years after the Lockerbie bombing almost half of British airports lack the most up-to-date security equipment.

A report drawn up by Transec, the Government's transport security arm, has found that 16 of the country's 33 airports either usual manual baggage searches or outdated equipment.

Instead, they should be using state-of-the-art equipment which X-rays luggage and "sniffs" it for semtex and other explosives.

Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter, Fiona, died on the Lockerbie Flight, Pan Am 103, in December, 1988, claims the situation in Britain resulted from "appalling complacency". It is difficult to argue with his assessment.

And his further allegation that governments won't do anything because they are concerned that their airlines are profitable is also pertinent.

Nearly four years ago the Government said every airport should have the machinery by this year.

Now a Department of Transport spokeswoman has confirmed the findings of the report and said the Government hoped the security systems will be installed in all airports.

Hoping that this will happen is not enough. Steps should be taken to ensure all airports have this equipment for the safety of all passengers and crews.

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