§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK and EU travel ban on Zimbabwean officials is enforced by(a) individual airlines and (b) immigration officials at ports of entry. [53134]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 30 April 2002]: The United Kingdom has adopted a travel ban on certain Zimbabwean officials consistent with a Common Position passed by the European Council. Whilst responsibility for deciding whether to carry a passenger ultimately rests with the airline, there is no requirement on the carrier to be fully satisfied in advance of travel that a passenger will be acceptable to the United Kingdom authorities. That judgment can be exercised only by the immigration officer on arrival. Airlines are, however, required to ensure that only properly documented passengers board their aircraft to the United Kingdom. Zimbabwean nationals do not require visas to enter the United Kingdom, but the airline is expected to ensure that the Zimbabwean passenger is the rightful holder of the passport being presented and that the document itself is acceptable for entry to the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom Immigration Service is responsible for enforcing the travel ban. Immigration officers at ports have been instructed not to grant entry to those Zimbabwean officials placed on the European Union travel ban list.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Zimbabwean nationals, subject to a travel ban by the United States, have recently passed through United Kingdom ports en-route to the US and any other destinations; and what liaison there is between UK and US immigration officials on this subject. [53133]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 30 April 2002]: We are not aware of any Zimbabwean nationals, subject to a travel ban, passing through the United Kingdom to other countries. But at major United Kingdom airports, only passengers who present themselves at the immigration control seeking entry whilst in transit would come to the 897W attention of the Immigration Service. Many others will remain airside and travel on in direct transit to their destinations and without seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom.
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate has strong links with Untied States officials. Anyone identified by the Immigration Service on arrival in the United Kingdom declared by the American authorities to be unacceptable for entry to the United States will be prevented from travelling on.