527
Written Answers
7 MAY 1987
Jean Warrington was strip-searched by customs officers at Gatwick airport during the first week of April; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise towards the use of strip searches; what guidelines are given to customs officers on the procedures for strip searches; with particular reference to the treatment of pregnant women; and as to the sex of the officers who carried out the search; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Brooke [pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1987]: No. Individual clearances of passengers and their baggage are dealt with on a confidential basis. Passengers may be searched by customs officers under the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that dutiable, prohibited or restricted goods are being carried, or by virtue of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to Customs and Excise) Order 1985 under which the relevant provisions of the latter Act are applied directly to the activities of customs officers. With certain specific exceptions (eg Heads of State and accredited diplomats) any passenger is liable to be searched provided there are reasonable grounds.
Customs officers are required, and trained, to carry out all such searches professionally and with tact and courtesy. Female passengers may not be searched by or in the presence of male officers and internal examinations can only be undertaken by a qualified medical practitioner.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Mr. Michael Delaney
Mr. Cohen asked the Attorney-General if, in the light of the verdict of the coroner's court of unlawful killing in respect of the death on 10 January of Michael Delaney, he will take steps to prosecute those responsible for Mr. Delaney's death; and if he will make a statement.
The Attorney-General: No.
Lord Rothschild
Mr. Dalyell asked the Attorney-General if, pursuant to his answer of 24 April, Official Report, column 7, the Director of Public Prosecutions has yet received an interim report from the Metropolitan Police in relation to the possible prosecution of Lord Rothschild under section 2 of the Official Secrets Act; and if he will make a statement.
The Attorney-General: The Director of Public Prosecutions received an interim report from the Metropolitan Police on 24 April and is considering it. It may be necessary to ask the police to make further inquiries before a decision can be taken.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Immigration
Mr. Tony Lloyd asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of typical waiting times for the various categories of application for entry clearance at each port in the Indian sub-continent.
Mr. Renton: As at 31 March 1987, waiting times for interview in respect of applications for entry clearance for settlement are as set out in the table (in month: 8.5.87
269
COL. 598
voi !!S
Islamabad Karachi
New Delhi Bombay
Calcutta Madras
Dhaka
1 Aufen
Written Answers
Priority Spouses
Queue
رامین
Fiancé(e)s and others
que
528
re-
applicants
and children under 18
3
14
15
3
11
(no cases)
3
8
12
3
6
10
12
No queues in operation
mmm m
3
No queues in operation
7
7
21
The great majority of applications for visit visas is currently dealt with within 24 hours. In the few cases where a more detailed interview is required the waiting times are 12 working days in New Delhi, five working days in Bombay and one to three days in Madras. There are no queues for visit visas at the other posts listed above.
Hong Kong
Dr. Marek asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his answer of 27 April, Official Report, column 16, the changes in the conditions of employment for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong will apply to those helpers already working in the colony.
Mr. Renton: The revised conditions of employment for foreign domestic helpers will apply to those helpers already working in Hong Kong with the exception of the provision governing wage levels. This will apply only to those renewing existing contracts or entering new ones.
Dr. Marek asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will enable oral representa- tions to be made by the people of Hong Kong in response to the forthcoming Green Paper on the development of representative government in the territory.
Mr. Renton: The Hong Kong Government announced on 25 March that an independent survey office will be established to collect, collate and report on the public response to the Green Paper which is soon to be published in Hong Kong. In accordance with its terms of reference, the office will take positive steps to invite and encourage as wide a public response as possible. The people of Hong Kong will be able to express their views to the office through a wide variety of channels.
Dr. Marek asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the minimum level of remuneration for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Renton: Following an announcement by the Hong Kong Government on 16 April, the lowest possible wage for foreign domestic helpers entering or renewing contracts will be 2,300 Hong Kong dollars per month. The aim of the Hong Kong Government in announcing these changes is to protect the interests of foreign domestic helpers and their employers, as well as those of local domestic helpers.
Ascension Island (Cats)
Dr. Marek asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the control of feral cats in Ascension Island.
Mr. Renton: Ascension Island services and the Royal Air Force periodically undertake cat culls to ensure that
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