HL Deb 16 June 2000 vol 613 cc218-9WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they believe that the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and the Carrier's Liability (Clandestine Entrants and Sale of Transporters) Regulations 2000 comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL2747]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

In view of the safeguards provided, the provisions for the civil penalty for carrying clandestine entrants, as well as the other provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. In particular, payment may only be enforced through court proceedings (in which there will be the opportunity to raise various defences) and sale of a detained transporter may only take place with the leave of the court.