Mr. John David Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether any members of the European Parliament travelling from the Republic of Ireland into the United Kingdom on Monday 29 October refused to complete the landing cards issued under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 on their arrival at Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement;
(2) by what authority he has sought to excuse Members of the European Assembly from completing landing and embarkation cards issued under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 (a) during their journeys within the United Kingdom between Great 203W Britain and Northern Ireland and (b) between any part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanI understand that two members of the European Parliament travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Brussels via Heathrow airport on 29 October who had at first been asked to complete landing cards were allowed to proceed without doing so when they satisfied the examining officer by other means of their identities. The use of these cards is discretionary under the Prevention of Terrorism (Supplemental Temporary Provisions) Order 1984, and the decision lies with the examining officer.