Oral Answers to Questions

Deidre Brock Excerpts
Thursday 30th June 2016

(7 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones
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The bridges are primarily in England, so that is an interesting Welsh land grab. As regards listening to the voice of businesses, if I was not listening to the voice of business, I would not have attended the meeting that was arranged by the hon. Member for Newport East (Jessica Morden) with the Freight Transport Association.

Deidre Brock Portrait Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)
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7. What recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on border controls at air and maritime ports.

Robert Goodwill Portrait The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mr Robert Goodwill)
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The Secretary of State regularly meets the Home Secretary to discuss a range of subjects, including border security. The most recent of these discussions took place on 26 April this year.

Deidre Brock Portrait Deidre Brock
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I understand that incoming international passengers at Edinburgh airport are experiencing lengthening delays as a result of cuts to the number of Border Force officers available. Given the increasing passenger numbers there and the likely increased need for passport checks after Brexit, will the Minister take urgent action to increase Border Force official numbers at the airport?

Robert Goodwill Portrait Mr Goodwill
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I, for one, am pleased that we do not have border checks at Berwick-upon-Tweed when I travel north. The hon. Lady should more reasonably put that question to the Home Office, which deals with such matters. As the Minister with responsibility for aviation, I am aware of the whole airport experience, and long queues at immigration are not good for the experience of people who come to our country.