Immigration Queues (UK Airports) Debate

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Department: Home Office

Immigration Queues (UK Airports)

Kevin Brennan Excerpts
Monday 30th April 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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Yes, and not only will we give them the time required, but we will allow them to use, on all occasions, the relevant technology. That was the problem before: when queues started building up, the technology was simply turned off. The investment made, in large part by the previous Government, in getting these electronic systems to make our border secure was not being allowed to do its job. We are determined not to repeat that mistake.

Kevin Brennan Portrait Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)
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I know that the Minister travels with ordinary people on planes all the time, separated only by a thin curtain, but, in the light of his statement, will he condemn the remarks the Mayor of London made today that this crisis at Heathrow is damaging the reputation of the country?

Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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I say to the hon. Gentleman that he is not up to date with the new era of Government austerity and that Ministers travel steerage class these days. The Mayor of London is, of course, concerned about the reputation of London and the ability of its airports to cope, and I look forward to working with him after he is re-elected triumphantly on Thursday.