Prime Minister Gordon Brown Says Government Will Act "Quickly"

The Prime Minister of Great Britain said his government will move "quickly" to put full-body scanning technology in place following the Christmas Day attempted downing of an airliner bound for Detroit.

Gordon Brown (Pictured, Right)  told BBC Television that the scanners were already on order. "People will see gradually being brought in, the use of full body scanners," he said. "They will see checks for explosive traces -- that will be done on hand luggage. Transit passengers will also be checked as well as transfer passengers. We will do everything in our power to tighten up on the security that is essential. We have recognized that there are new forms of weapon that are being used by Al-Qaeda so we've got to respond accordingly."

"We have found that there is a new form of explosive that is not being identified by ordinary machines," he added. "We have got to go further. Our first duty is to the security of the people of this country."

The scanners would be installed in airports as soon as practical, said a representative for BAA, which owns and operates London Heathrow, London Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.

Brown did say he hoped that the new equipment would not lead to longer lines at UK airports. The BBC reported that the Netherlands was also stepping up security on all flights bound for the U.S.

FMI: www.number10.gov.uk, www.baa.com