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Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) Regulations 2006

rose to move, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 2 May be approved [26th Report from the Joint Committee]. The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the regulations enable an authorised person to require any person who applies for entry clearance to provide a record of his fingerprints and a photograph of his face. The regulations also enable an authorised person to require any person who is in possession of a 1951 Refugee Convention travel document that is endorsed with an entry clearance and who seeks leave to enter the United Kingdom to provide a record of his fingerprints and a photograph of his face. In practice, an authorised person will be an immigration officer or entry clearance officer. The regulations are made under Section 126 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Section 126 provides that the Secretary of State may by regulations require an immigration application to be accompanied by specified information about the external characteristics of the applicant or enable an authorised person to require an applicant to provide such information. I am conscious that the time is now 9.20. I would ordinarily have fully explained the regulations. I know that they were greeted with assent in the other place. If noble Lords approve, I do not intend to say anything more because of the lateness of the hour. However, I am happy to expand on the regulations more fully if any noble Lord indicates that it would be helpful. As no such indication has been given, I beg to move. Moved, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 2 May be approved [26th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Baroness Scotland of Asthal.)