Written evidence to be reported to the House
UK Borders Bill
11:18 am
Mr. Byrne: These proposals are about how progressively we strengthen the part that immigration officers can play in securing our borders over the years to come and how we can strengthen the ability of immigration officers to play their part not just in the fight against illegal immigration, but in the battle against trafficking and human smuggling, as well as in national security. Examples have been given to me, for instance, of where UK citizens have facilitated the arrival of people illegally in British ports where there are problems in detaining somebody who is a British citizen.
These are not powers that will be implemented overnight. They will be implemented over the months to come. Because they touch on matters that are subject to devolution, it is absolutely right that the Scottish Executive move on them. In the run-up to the elections, I can quite understand that pressure on the legislative timetable is tough, but it is for political parties in Scotland—I hope that the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats will include this in their manifestos—to make proposals to strengthen border controls with measures such as this. I am sure that voters in Scotland will look quite closely at this matter.
It would be quite wrong to cast aspersions on the police in Scotland. They have a strong history of work in this area and they do their job well. If ACPO Scotland and the Scottish Executive can provide me with assurances that the Scottish police will continue to play that role, it is right for me to accept them.