Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Order 2020

Lord Bhatia Excerpts

Wednesday 18th November 2020 Grand Committee

[Lord Bhatia (Non-Afl) [V]]

My Lords, this instrument was prepared by the Home Office. It will ensure that the UK can continue to utilise electronic passport gates, which are described as

“a secure and efficient mechanism for travellers to cross the border, to process the arrival of citizens of current EU and EEA member states and Switzerland entering the UK as visitors after the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020”.

Heathrow is a particularly busy airport, with flights arriving and leaving all the time—for almost 20 hours a day. E-gates have been a big blessing for the airport authorities there. Similar problems exist in other airports in the UK, such as Gatwick.

It is also said that:

“This SI is important to maintain security and fluidity across the UK border.”


Whereas all the above makes sense and is good, we have to worry about terrorists entering the UK. With the recent events in France, security for the UK must be enhanced. There are also many migrants crossing the channel in small boats; many of them are unable to cross due to the waves, which can cause their deaths. The security of our borders is very important and I welcome this SI.