The Government has dismissed claims that opening up Gatwick's ground operations to greater competition could lead to more injuries among baggage handlers.

Transport Minister Gillian Merron said there were "no compelling grounds" to stop airport bosses contracting out work to a fifth company.

She said until recently Gatwick was the only airport in the UK with a legal limit on the number of companies permitted to provide ground handling services.

The minister said airport regulator the Civil Aviation Authority "found no reason to believe that removing the limit would itself have a detrimental effect on health and safety".

But she warned the airport, airlines and handling companies that the Government expected them to ensure any changes to the ground handling arrangements were implemented "in a way that does not compromise the safety of staff".

Ms Merron was responding to Crawley MP Laura Moffatt, who said staffing levels were falling while passenger numbers were rising. Ms Moffatt told the Commons: "Many of my constituents involved in manual handling at Gatwick have raised concerns about health and safety since the work pressures on them increased.

"Ensuring their health and safety must be a priority."