§ Dr. PalmerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation is taking place with carriers prior to the implementation of the passenger information provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. [98400]
§ Mrs. RocheWe anticipate that discussions with carriers or their representatives will commence in December. The purpose of these talks will be to establish
Police Authority 31 March 1995 31 March 1996 31 March 1997 31 March 1998 31 March 1999 Derbyshire Police 625 656 723 787 818 Leicestershire Constabulary 680 667 755 774 802 Cheshire Constabulary 616 690 735 781 785 North Yorkshire Constabulary 508 520 520 543 541 South Yorkshire Police 1,149 1,418 1,291 1,243 1,273 West Yorkshire Police 1,965 2,037 2,234 2,304 2,216 Surrey Police 732 754 727 743 733
§ Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Government funding was received in real terms in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97, (d) 1997–98 and (e) 1998–99, and will be received in 1999–2000 by (i) the police forces in England and Wales in total, (ii) Derbyshire Police Authority, (iii) Leicester Police Authority, (iv) Cheshire Police Authority, (v) Yorkshire Police Authority and (vi) Surrey Police Authority. [98290]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe information requested is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend.
792Wthe means whereby information on passengers may be provided. We understand that some carriers may have concerns about the implications for them of the new passenger information provisions and we will endeavour to minimise as far as is possible the resource and administrative burden on them.
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the scope of the power to require carriers to provide additional information. This will be capable of requiring carriers to provide information over and above what they currently collect. However, it will not be used to require carriers to provide information to which they do not have ready access. We recognise the constraints under which industry must operate and we will work closely with them to ensure that these are properly considered against operational need.
The passenger information provisions are an important element of the intelligence led approach to the operation of the immigration control. Not only will they enable the Immigration Service to make more efficient use of its resources but they will also benefit carriers, operators and the travelling public.