Clause 2 - Entering United Kingdom without passport

Part of Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 3:30 pm on 13 January 2004.

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Photo of David Heath David Heath Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) 3:30, 13 January 2004

Indeed. As the hon. Gentleman said, it put me off future flights with that airline, although the flight was otherwise uneventful. We must use imagination in order to provide a common system that does not penalise genuine refugees. There are

concerns that, if the apparatus at the port of embarkation is too cumbersome, the system will be open to abuse from officials within that country if they are fleeing or have good reason to flee that country. We must be sensitive to that. However, we should consider finding a way—not only for immigration purposes but for national security reasons—to identify those on inbound flights to the UK, and to substantiate their identities after they have got off a flight. I look forward to hearing the Minister's proposals for further consultation, and whether she intends to table amendments at a later stage in our proceedings or on Report for consideration of this area.