HC Deb 15 December 1983 vol 50 cc522-3W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to permit Commonwealth passengers seeking to enter the United Kingdom as temporary visitors who are refused by immigration officials to seek a remedy from a British court before being returned to their country of origin.

Mr. Waddington

Passengers who have a current entry clearance or work permit and are refused leave to enter have a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities before they are returned. Furthermore, any passenger may apply to the courts for a judicial review of the immigration officer's decision to refuse leave to enter on the ground that it was wrong in law. We see no need to provide any further remedy.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue instructions to immigration officers that they are not to require passengers who are able to sign undertakings before entering the United Kingdom and who do so sign to add their thumb or fingerprints to such documents, as occurred in the case of Chavda drawn to his attention by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West.

Mr. Waddington

No. The guidance to immigration officers on the use of written undertakings will make clear that it is appropriate to require a thumbprint or fingerprint only if the person giving the undertaking is unable to sign his or her name, as was Mrs. Chavda.