Closing Immigration Loopholes at Stansted Airport

Today in Parliament I urged the Prime Minister to close a dangerous immigration loophole at Stansted airport.

Our full exchange was:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Given the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee next year, is the Prime Minister aware that immigration and special branch officers at Stansted Airport are concerned that the "Common Area Travel Channel" in its current form allows illegal migrants, Islamists, and terrorists into the country without their Passports being checked. Will he take urgent steps to close this loophole immediately?

David Cameron (Prime Minister): My Honourable Friend makes an important point. What I would say is that Passport-free travel between the UK, the crown dependencies and the Republic of Ireland has been in place for many years and it does offer some real economic and social benefits. I do accept these routes can be open to abuse and we are determined to resolve this. The UK Border Agency is working very closely with Ireland and others to make sure this happens. But we've got to try to do that, without disadvantaging people who've been able to take advantage of the "Common Area Travel Channel" upto now.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com