§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representaions he has received in the past year concerning those wishing to visit the United Kingdom, including complaints about delays upon entry, lengthy interrogations and general unsympathetic treatment; and what action he has taken as a result of complaints.
§ Mr. WaddingtonWe estimate that in 1983 some 33 million passengers passed through immigration control on286W arrival. A number of representations are made by hon. Members in the course of pursuing individual cases about visitors but no precise statistics in the form requested are available. During this period, however, 250 complaints from hon. Members and others were received which related to one or more of the following matters: the nature of a decision, or the nature of immigration control; port procedures and facilities; and the actions of individual immigration officers. All complaints are carefully investigated and any necessary changes are made. If an immigration officer is found to have been at fault it is brought to his attention and where appropriate suitable disciplinary action is taken.