Immigration Services
Section 140: Immigration Services Commissioner
342.Subsection (1) inserts a sub-paragraph in paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 to the 1999 Act to clarify that the Immigration Services Commissioner (“the Commissioner”) may exercise his existing powers of entry when investigating a matter on his own initiative. These powers may be exercised to the same extent and in relation to the same matters as would be the case if the Commissioner was investigating a complaint made to him by a third party.
343.Subsection (2) inserts a new paragraph in Schedule 6 to the 1999 Act which enables the Commissioner to vary an adviser’s registration during the period of an extant registration at any time without charge. Subsection (3) enables any decision made by the Immigration Services Commissioner in this way to be appealed to the Immigration Services Tribunal.
Section 141: EEA ports: juxtaposed controls
344.This section provides for a power that would allow the UK to operate immigration and other frontier controls at an EEA ferry port (such as Calais), for the purposes of giving effect to an international agreement. In addition, it would allow the Secretary of State to make any necessary legislative arrangements to accommodate French immigration control in UK ports (such as Dover).
345.Subsections (1) and (2) contain a power for the Secretary of State to make an order for the purpose of giving effect to an international agreement which concerns immigration control at an EEA port (which may also cover other frontier controls such as police and customs). The order may include any provision likely to facilitate implementation of that agreement.
346.Subsection (3) lists particular matters which may be included in a future order. .For example an order may specify that particular laws of England and Wales have effect (with or without modification) in that part of the EEA where immigration and other frontier controls are being carried out by UK officials. An order may also modify or even disapply UK legislation in order to allow officers from other countries to perform their functions on UK territory
347.Subsection (3)(f) provides that an order may make provision conferring a function, which may be discretionary and may be on a government officer of a State other than the UK.
348.Subsection (3)(g) states that an order may create or extend the application of an offence and subsections (3)(h) and (i) provide that an order may impose penalties or require payments of a fee, (for example a fee for processing a particular type of immigration application).
349.Subsection (3)(j) states that an order may contain provision about enforcement, including conferring powers of arrest, detention or removal from or to a place.
350.Subsection (3)(k) allows an order to confer jurisdiction on a court.
351.Subsections (3)(l) and (m) provide for an order to confer immunity or provide for indemnity or compensation.
352.Subsection (3)(n) allows an order to make provision requiring , inter alia, UK port authorities to co-operate with or provide facilities for French officers to carry out their functions. It includes the power to require such facilities at no charge.
353.Finally, subsection 3(o) allows an order to make provision about the disclosure of information.
354.Subsection (5) states that the Secretary of State must consult with such persons as he considers appropriate before making an order under this section. Further, an order must be made by statutory instrument, which must be laid before and approved by both Houses of Parliament.
Section 142: Advisory panel on country information
355.The Act makes provision for the establishment of an advisory panel on country information.
356.Country information means information about the countries of origin of asylum seekers. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate compiles information regarding the political situation as well as human rights issues on the 35 countries that produce the highest numbers of asylum seekers to the UK. Their purpose is to document what is known about the countries in a way that might be relevant to making a decision on an asylum application.
357.The advisory panel will provide scrutiny and oversight of the quality and content of the country reports and review the methodology used in their compilation.
