§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration officers are currently employed at Heathrow; how the number has varied in recent years; whether he is aware of complaints into delays of up to an hour caused by an inadequate number of officers being on duty; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillOn 30th November 1976, 432 immigration officers were employed at Heathrow. The number has not varied significantly in the last three years. There has been a small number of complaints of delays, but investigation has shown them to be mainly attributable to airlines exceeding the passenger capacity of the terminals. The Immigration Service is not exempt from present constraints on public expenditure, but I am satisfied that in general we draw the correct balance between the need to provide an efficient service to the public and the economic employment of staff.