Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 December 2000. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 14 December 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what powers are available to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to obtain information from (a) other Government departments and agencies and (b) other organisations on persons suspected of being immigration offenders.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to obtain information from (a) other Government Departments and agencies and (b) other organisations on persons suspected of being immigration offenders. [142781] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The statutory powers available to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) are contained in sections 20 and 21 of the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act, which came into force on 1 January 2000. These provisions allow information on suspected immigration, and other, offenders to be exchanged for specified purposes between IND and the police, the National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. They also contain order-making powers which will enable further purposes to be specified, and additional statutory gateways to be established with other agencies. In addition there is already excellent co-operation between IND and a number of other governmental and non- governmental bodies.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 359 c265-6W;359 c263-4W; 142781
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Disclosure of information Cooperation Undocumented migrants Migrants Powers Immigration and Nationality Directorate
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk