Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the introduction of exit checks at United Kingdom borders will not affect (1) freedom of movement, and (2) the efficiency of international transport operators; and what options the Home Office is considering, as part of the introduction of such checks, to increase automation of passport checks at (a) ports, (b) airports, and (c) vehicle borders.

The Home Office is satisfied that exit checks will be entirely consistent with free movement rights. We are working with industry to integrate exit checks with the grain of existing carrier and port processes and with technology, to the extent that this is in place at sea ports, airports and international stations. Any operator proposal to introduce additional technology would need to support the effective delivery of exit checks and maintained the integrity and security of the border.