Hove MP Mike Weatherley has asked ministers to think again about exposing pilots and air crew to radiation from body scans every time they fly.
Mr Weatherley said that a number of pilots and crew lived in his constituency and had raised the issue with him.
They currently face similar security checks to passengers but the nature of their work means that they face repeated exposure to radiation.
Mr Weatherley said: “I am keen to highlight the fears surrounding continued exposure to radiation from body scans of those subjected to the checks on a regular basis.
“Tough security measures have been necessary at our airports in recent years but it is entirely right that we review – and improve – policy on a regular basis.”
He brought the matter up in questions to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, a fellow Conservative.
His questions reflected the concerns of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) which has consistently pressed the government to exclude professional pilots from body scanning.
Another transport minister, Theresa Villiers, replied in a series of written answers.
Mr Weatherley asked ministers to consider the merits of introducing measures at all airports allowing expedited access for uniformed crew.
He also asked about the safety of repeated exposure to radiation from body scans.
The minister said: “Aviation security search measures apply equally to all (passengers, airport staff and air crew including pilots) regardless of gender, race, age and occupation, with only a very limited number of exemptions, for example, heads of state.
“The more people we exempt from search, the greater the risk this creates.”
“We would be wary of creating a two-tier screening system that may increase the likelihood of people becoming targets for coercion.
“Even professional pilots with the highest levels of integrity and honesty can find themselves the subject of coercion or blackmail from those who might seek to force them to carry prohibited items into a critical part of an airport.
“All screening measures are kept under review.
“The Department for Transport has regular dialogue with industry partners, including representatives of airline pilots, to ensure that security measures are commensurate with the existing threat.”
She said that the radiation exposure was within safe limits.
Mr Weatherley asked ministers to “assess the merits of introducing equivalent security arrangements for airline pilots at airports to those in place for honourable members on the parliamentary estate”.
The minister said that she did feel that it was appropriate to comment on the arrangements for MPs.
