Eurostar: Passport Controls

HL Deb 17 May 1999 vol 601 cc7-8WA

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is now their policy for two passport checks to be carried out on Eurostar passengers arriving from Brussels, one on the train and the other at Waterloo station (as occurred on the 17.56 train on 27 April); and what cost implications this change has for the Immigration Service. [HL2380]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Passengers travelling by Eurostar services to London are subjected to passport controls in common with all passengers arriving at ports of entry to the United Kingdom. Checks under the Immigration Act in respect of people arriving at Waterloo International Terminal are carried out by immigration officers normally either on board train, or on arrival in London. Passport checks in respect of the 17.56 departure from Brussels on 27 April were conducted by immigration officers when the train arrived at Waterloo. I understand that any checks on board that service were made by Metropolitan Police Special Branch officers, exercising their powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. There are no cost implications of these arrangements for the Immigration Service.