HL Deb 07 April 1987 vol 486 c1020WA
Lord Renton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to introduce selective immigration controls on embarkation.

Lord Beaverbrook

In the context of our membership of the European Communities we have decided that we can introduce simpler and more rapid procedures for the control by immigration officers of passengers leaving the country without impairing the overall effectiveness of immigration control. Arrangements will shortly be introduced for selective control on the embarkation of British and other EC nationals. Arrangements will be made to ensure that immigration officers continue to assist in the identification of wards of court and others whom the police and other agencies wish to identify. We have no plans to introduce selective embarkation control for other nationals or to introduce selective immigration controls for any passengers seeking to enter this country.