Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 April 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 April 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average inspection time spent per vehicle at UK border checkpoints was when checking for stowaways in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Lembit Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average inspection time spent per vehicle at UK border checkpoints was when checking for stowaways in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [160381] Mr. Browne: While records are kept, for vehicles travelling through Calais, Dover and Coquelles, of the number of lorries searched and the technology used, no records are routinely kept of the time taken to conduct the search. However the current average time to search a vehicle is estimated as between one and four minutes depending on the search methods.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 160381; 420 c1111W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Customs Inspections Undocumented migrants Large goods vehicles Motor vehicles
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk