Immigration Act 1971

Information and documents

4 (1) It shall be the duty of any person examined under paragraph 2 or 3 above to furnish to the person carrying out the examination all such information in his possession as that person may require for the purpose of his functions under that paragraph.

(2) A person on his examination under paragraph 2 or 3 above by an immigration officer shall, if so required by the immigration officer—

(a) produce either a valid passport with photograph or some other document satisfactorily establishing his identity and nationality or citizenship ; and

(b) declare whether or not he is carrying or conveying documents of any relevant description specified by the immigration officer, and produce any documents of that description which he is carrying or conveying.

In paragraph (b), " relevant description" means any description appearing to the immigration officer to be relevant for the purposes of the examination.

(3) Where under sub-paragraph (2)(b) above a person has been required to declare whether or not he is carrying or conveying documents of any description, he and any baggage belonging to him or under his control may be searched with a view to ascertaining whether he is doing so by the immigration officer or a person acting under the directions of the officer :

Provided that no woman or girl shall be searched except by a woman.

(4) An immigration officer may examine any documents produced pursuant to sub-paragraph (2)(b) above or found on a search under sub-paragraph (3), and may for that purpose detain them for any period not exceeding seven days ; and if on examination of any document so produced or found the immigration officer is of the opinion that it may be needed in connection with proceedings on an appeal under this Act or for an offence, he may detain it until he is satisfied that it will not be so needed.

5 The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument make provision for requiring passengers disembarking or embarking in the United Kingdom, or any class of such passengers, to produce to an immigration officer, if so required, landing or embarkation cards in such form as the Secretary of State may direct, and for requiring the owners or agents of ships and aircraft to supply such cards to those passengers.