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

Raising the Jubilee Medal in the House of Commons

A few days ago I posted a Blog urging that Immigration Officers should be awarded the Golden Jubilee medal. Today I had the opportunity to ask the question in the Commons, during Business Questions. I have also Tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) signed by a number of MPs who agree that Immigration Officers deserve the Jubilee medal. Although the EDM will not be debated, it serves as a good barometer of Parliamentary opinion. I am glad that the Leader of the House has pledged to raise the matter with relevant Ministers.

I thought you might like to see the exchanges below, published in Hansard:

Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Will the Leader of the House give us a debate on the awarding of jubilee medals? I have been approached by immigration officers who live in and around my constituency, who are understandably upset that immigration officers were not awarded the Golden Jubilee medal, unlike other important public servants such as police and prison officers. Immigration officers are on the front line against terrorism. Will the Leader of the House agree to speak to the relevant new Minister, so that we can recognise the good work of immigration officers, retrospectively award them the golden jubilee medal, and consider them for the diamond jubilee medal?

Sir George Young: My hon. Friend makes a good point. He may want to seek an opportunity for a wider debate on the subject, either in Westminster Hall or on the Adjournment. Of course I will pass on to my ministerial colleagues the forceful case that he makes.

Immigration Ministers deserve the Golden Jubilee Medal

I have written the below article for Conservative Home today, as I feel strongly that Immigration Officers should be considered for the Golden Jubilee medal:

Why is it that Immigration Officers have been denied the Golden Jubilee medal, awarded by the Queen to those in emergency services? Immigration officials are clearly in the front line, protect our nation against terrorists entering the UK and do their part to make our country safe. Whenever there has been a crisis, such as the hijackers at Stansted Airport, it is immigration officers who have been called on to deal with the resulting emergency.

It was only two years ago that a Labour Minister apparently described them as "shits". They seem to be taken for granted and have become the forgotten service. Their work in keeping our borders secure - against great odds - deserves to be recognised. Just as Prison Officers and the Police have received Jubilee medals, so too Immigration Officers have a right to be rewarded for their dedication and commitment to Britain. Qualifying Officers should belatedly receive the Golden Jubilee medal, so as to ensure that they are in line for the next medal awards in 2012. Our Immigration service should be forgotten no longer.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com