APPENDIX 3
Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Home Secretary
Thank you for your recent letter (received in Barbara
Roche's office on 23 July) about the use of x-ray scanners. Given
the media and public awareness of these matters I am pleased to
take this opportunity to update on current arrangements and public
future developments.
2. Firstly, on co-operation between the
border agencies (the Immigration Service, Customs and the Police),
a Border Agencies Working Group exists comprising officials from
the three organisations. Through this Customs has kept the Immigration
Service fully informed of their proposals and the agencies are
developing a protocol which will provide an operational framework
ensuring that each control agency is clear on roles should clandestine
entrants be detected.
3. As you are aware, Customs own the scanning
system to search for contraband, tobacco, alcohol and prohibited
drugs. The x-ray units are fully compliant with United Kingdom
Health and Safety legislation with regard to the exposure of people
and animals. They have no intention of using the equipment if
there is any indication that the targeted vehicle contains people
or animal livestock. If Customs of clandestines are detected procedures
will be put in place for handing them over to the Immigration
Service.
4. More widely, we continue to examine a
range of mechanisms which might help us to detect clandestine
entrants at United Kingdom ports. We are re-examining technologies
including x-ray which might be used to detect people safely and
efficiently in a number of environments including the Channel
ports.
5. A major means for addressing illegal
entry has been introduction of the civil penalty for vehicles
used to transport clandestine illegal entrants to the United Kingdom.
In parallel, we are pursuing measures with our European Union
colleagues to curb the growth in illegal migration into the European
Union generally through action against the criminals involved.
We very much welcome the fact that port security at ferry terminals,
particularly in France, have recently been significantly tightened,
and further action is in hand.
Jack Straw
2 October 2000
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