The Netherlands is to introduce compulsory body scans at all its airports. Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin discussed the move with US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Tuesday evening.

In the short term the measure will apply to flights to and from the United States. In the long term, the minister would like to see body scans introduced at European level. Speaking from his holiday address in the United States Mr Hirsch Ballin said security was an absolute priority, and took precedence over passenger privacy.

The measure has the support of a majority in the Lower House. Coalition Labour Party MP Ton Heerts said “Flying is voluntary and if a body scan is necessary for the protection of others, this interest takes priority over that of the individual.” Both Mr Heerts and MP Sybrand van Haersma Buma of the senior coalition party, the Christian Democrats, agreed that although the scans were able to see through clothing, this was less invasive than a manual body search. Opposition conservative VVD MP Fred Teeven pointed out that the scan only revealed the contours of the body, and the passenger remains unrecognisable.

At present 15 trial body scanners are in use at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, but at present due to privacy concerns they are an optional alternative to the conventional metal detector. Airport authorities say that had would-be bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab been subjected to a body scan, the explosives he was carrying may well have been detected.

Body scanner at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport - ANP
Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin - ANP