Mr. MatinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions a heartbeat detector machine at Dover has broken down or failed to function in the last six months. [68627]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 9 July 2002]: The heartbeat detector requires a structure to protect it from adverse weather, such as high winds. The mechanical doors allowing entry and exit from this structure have, on occasion, failed.
There have also been occasions when the heartbeat detector itself has required minor attention, but rarely has the fault caused the equipment to be taken out of service. Where it has, the Immigration Service has been able to rely on other methods to detect clandestines, including body detection dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, X and gamma ray scanners, to maintain an effective deterrent and detection capability.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many heartbeat detector machines are installed at(a) Dover, (b) Folkestone, (c) Coquelles and (d) Calais. [68625]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 9 July 2002]: The Immigration Service currently deploys two heartbeat detector machines—one in Dover and one in Coquelles.
At present there are no ferry services using the port of Folkestone, and consequently, there is no current demand for the deployment of detection technology there. Freight vehicles using the Eurotunnel Freight Shuttle service do, however, arrive at Cheriton, near Folkestone. These are subject to search at or before the British Control Zone at Coquelles before travel.
A programme is now under way to procure additional heartbeat detectors and other detection technology for deployment at various continental ports serving the United Kingdom, including Calais.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of lorries passing through Dover from France are checked by a(a) dog, (b) heartbeat detector machine, (c) carbon dioxide stick and (d) X-ray machine. [68628]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 9 July 2002]: Based on collated intelligence and profiling, the Immigration Service currently checks approximately 12 per cent. of lorries which arrive at Dover on cross-channel ferries. Immigration Officers use a combination of all the methods of detection referred to, the choice of which is determined by the characteristics of the vehicle to be searched. No figures are held which illustrate the frequency of use of one method over another.