Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill

I have been approached to speak on this group of amendments by the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents immigration officers. The union tells me that the introduction of the Bill, in particular Clauses 40 and 41, would enable private contractors to carry out searches of any vehicles, including ships and aircraft, currently searched by UKIS and Customs staff. Contractors currently operate alongside the union’s members at the berth-side in Calais but I am told that they do not have the power to examine the inside of a vehicle or to search on their own. Most vehicle searching for illegal people takes place in the freight lanes and is conducted solely by UKIS staff. PCS has asked management to give assurances that there will be no extension of contractors into the freight lanes once the Bill has been passed. However, management will not give any assurances and this concerns the union as it believes that the UK Immigration Service is planning to extend the use of contractors. If contractors are extended into the freight lanes, this could impact on the security of members’ jobs. The union points to the success and professionalism of the staff and says that it has grave concerns that this sensitive area of public service could not operate effectively without properly trained professional civil servants. It says that contractors currently operating are paid less than its UKIS members—a point already made by the noble Lord, Lord Avebury. They also have no access to a pension scheme or benefits and no career progression. It does not seem a good idea for an important public service of this kind to be operated by people who do not have the commitment to the profession that existing staff have. The legislation would put private contractors on a par with properly trained and accountable police, immigration and customs officers. The union tells me that their members are also security checked prior to starting work and they are unsure what level of vetting current contractors have been put through for them to operate alongside immigration officers. At a time of heightened security, that should give everyone some concern. I hope that my noble friend will be prepared to consider those views, which are in line with those already voiced by the noble Lord, Lord Avebury. The people who operate the service at present have grave concerns about what is proposed in the Bill and those concerns should be seriously considered.