Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): What recent reports she has received on the time taken to enter the UK through Heathrow airport; and if she will make a statement. [108039]

The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): I receive daily reports on queuing times at Heathrow. Our sampling of queues shows that the vast majority of European economic area passengers at Heathrow pass through immigration control quickly. However, queue lengths have on occasions reached unacceptable levels and we introduced a range of measures to combat this.

Nicholas Soames: May I welcome the steps that my hon. Friend has taken to improve this situation? However, does he agree that all other law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Revenue, use risk assessment in the normal planned course of their business? As security is such a major issue, will he assure this House that every available desk at Heathrow will be manned at busy times?

Damian Green: My right hon. Friend will know that we have introduced more staff, as well as the range of other measures that I mentioned in answer to an earlier question. Not only BAA-but the airlines themselves, including the head of safety and security at Virgin Atlantic-has said that we have seen some improvement in the last few weeks. I am also able to assure my right hon. Friend and the House that more people are working there this week than there were last week, and that there will be more next week. As the summer gets busier and busier, there will be an increasing number of staff on the desks.

Hansard

21st May, 2012

Column 834