§ 81. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to give power to immigration officers at airports and ports, upon the application of an interested party, to prevent a child who is a ward of court from being taken out of the country; and if he will seek to hold discussions with the appropriate authorities in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and other parts of the British Isles, with a view to securing their assistance in preventing wards of court from being taken from England and Wales.
§ Sir F. SoskiceImmigration officers at ports in England and Wales have instructions to point out to a person in charge of a child whom they know to be the subject of a court order for custody or wardship, or to the child himself if he is unaccompanied, that he may not leave the country without the consent of the court. If, despite this warning, the child persists in trying to embark, the immigration officer is instructed to bring the matter to the attention of the police, who have been advised that they should prevent such a child from embarking without the consent of the court. I am considering the difficulties which arise in regard to other parts of the British Isles.