Oral Answers to Questions

Jenny Willott Excerpts

Monday 5th January 2015 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central) (LD)]

1. What progress her Department has made on implementing exit checks at borders.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

The Government are on track to deliver their commitment to introduce exit checks on scheduled commercial international air, sea and rail routes by April 2015.

[Jenny Willott]

It is clear that exit checks, which were scrapped by the previous Labour Government, are a critical part of any competent immigration system. I know that progress has been made, but how sure is the Home Secretary that she will hit the target of 100% exit checks by March?

[Mrs May]

As I indicated in my original answer, we are on track to ensure that we have exit checks in place by April 2015. My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to mention the significance of exit checks in the immigration system, and I would like to pay tribute to my right hon. Friends the Minister for Government Policy and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Minister for Schools who have together been supporting the Home Office to ensure that we can meet our commitment.