§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he estimates to be the cost of the training and placement of visa or immigration officers at Heathrow airport; and what is the minimum, the average and the maximum cost of the employment of a visa or immigration officer at Heathrow airport.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe information readily available is as follows. On first appointment immigration officers undergo 10 weeks training comprising a six-weeks recruit course followed by four weeks desk training. Throughout this period they receive the basic salary in the range of £5,605-£10,188, plus allowances. The average cost per place of non-residential courses at the immigration service training unit at Harmondsworth is of the order of £200 a week. Interviewing passengers from a number of countries, including in particular the Indian subcontinent, also requires the service of interpreters.