Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the legal basis is for refusing entry to the UK to foreign nationals who are deemed non-conducive to the public good; and what authority is responsible for deciding when entry should be refused on those grounds.

The Secretary of State has the power to regulate entry of non-British nationals to the United Kingdom by virtue of section 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.

The Immigration Rules constitute a statement of practice to be followed in the administration of the Immigration Act 1971 for regulating the entry into, and stay of, persons in the UK. Paragraph 9.3.1. of the Immigration Rules provides for the refusal of entry to the UK on the ground the person’s presence is not conducive to the public good.

A decision to refuse entry on non-conducive grounds may be taken by UK Visas and Immigration where an application has been made for entry clearance abroad, or by Border Force if the person seeks entry on arrival at the border.