HL Deb 06 July 1992 vol 538 cc981-2

2.59 p.m.

Viscount Mountgarret asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will re-designate passport control channels at airports in the United Kingdom as for British and Commonwealth citizens, other EC citizens and others, rather than as for EC citizens and others as at present.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

No, my Lords. The system is designed to separate those who are entitled to enter without leave from those who are subject to immigration control. European Community nationals can enter without leave; Commonwealth citizens, other than British citizens, are subject to immigration control.

Viscount Mountgarret

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Does he not agree that at times some of our Commonwealth brethren consider that they are treated in a somewhat cavalier fashion? Would it not be possible to return to the status quo as it was in the 1960s?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, Commonwealth citizens have been subject to immigration control since the 1960s, before we entered the Community. If we were to adjust the system in the way my noble friend suggests that would merely complicate further the issue of people entering the country.

Lord Richard

My Lords, will the noble Earl take account of one matter? There is considerable disquiet that Commonwealth citizens who are members of ethnic minorities are not always treated with the same respect at ports of entry and airports as other citizens. Can the noble Earl do something to ensure that that does not happen?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, respect is a matter of judgment which is in the eye of the beholder. It would be difficult to consider that separately. If the noble Lord, Lord Richard, cares to cast his mind back over the past few days he will recall that the word "customer" has been introduced. I believe that he will find that all customers of the immigration service are treated equally well.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, can my noble friend assure the House that however the immigration channels happen to be labelled in future an adequate system of passport control will be maintained after 1st January 1993, despite the wishes of some of our partners in Europe?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister made it perfectly clear on 20th May that we do not accept the interpretation which the Commission puts on the Treaty of Rome. The words are clear. The article provides for the creation of an area without frontiers in which free movement is ensured in accordance with the provisions of the treaty. That means for European Community nationals and not for third parties.