HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc31-2W
Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were arrested at Heathrow airport on suspicion of having used or attempted to use forged instruments to board an aircraft in(a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996 to date; how many such persons were formally charged with such an offence in the same periods; and how many such persons were convicted of such an offence in the same periods. [35607]

Mr. Kirkhope

The information is not available in the form requested. The table sets out the available information relating to all arrests at Heathrow airport for offences contrary either to section 1 or the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 or section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that statistical records relating to forged instruments are not kept by reference to the use to which that instrument was being put. All those arrested were formally charged but statistical information on how many of them were convicted is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Financial 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96
Attempting to obtain a service by deception 7 16 29 250
Using/possession of a forged instrument 27 37 97 126

Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total amount of liability incurred by carriers under the Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act 1987 in each year since 1987; how much has been paid to date; how much has been waived to date; and how much is currently outstanding. [35605]

Mr. Kirkhope

Total charges incurred by carriers under the Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act 1987 in each year since the inception of the Act are as follows: (Charges are shown in £ million).

  • 1987:£ 3.92
  • 1988:£ 4.40
  • 1989:£ 7.86
  • 1990:£ 9.63
  • 1991:£12.891
  • 1992:£12.72
  • 1993:£11.04
  • 1994:£13.24
  • 1995:£12.37
  • 1 The charge increased from £1,000 to £2,000 per inadequately documented passenger on 1 August 1991.

Charges amounting to £94.45 million have been incurred to date. A total of £56.91 million has been paid, £18.73 million waived, and £18.81 million is currently outstanding.