§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to introduce penalties for ferry companies who transport stowaways. [140671]
§ Beverley HughesThe Government have no plans to introduce further legislation since ferry companies are already liable to charges in respect of stowaways.
Under section 40 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (as amended), where a person arrives in the United Kingdom and fails to produce a valid immigration document satisfactorily establishing his identity and his nationality or citizenship and where, required, a valid visa, the owner of the ship (or aircraft), in which he arrives is liable to a charge of (currently) £2,000 per person. Existing published guidance on carriers' liability charging procedures says that charges in respect of stowaways will be waived where the carrier had done everything possible to ensure that no unauthorised person used the service.
On 6 October 2003 the Government published a consultation document entitled "Carriers' Liability: Charging Procedures: A Guide for Carriers" setting out proposed amendments to that published guidance. In particular, the document proposes changes to the circumstances in which charges will be waived in respect of stowaways and explains in greater detail what is expected of carriers. Copies of the consultation document can be found in the Library and on the Home Office website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid=4156.