‘Right to issue British passport is at stake’
Friday 20th March 2009, 11:30AM GMT.
MOVES to tighten security at the island’s borders are vital, according to Customs and Immigration.
The Home Department wants to spend £1m. to implement a series of measures over five years that include biometric passports and e-Borders – both key measures for future trade and travel to the UK and further afield.
The scheme follows moves in the UK aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration and preventing criminals entering jurisdictions by checking and stopping them before they board aircraft or boats.
Chief officer Rob Prow stressed discussions on its implementation in Guernsey were very much in their infancy and warned about drawing conclusions too early when consultation has not even taken place.
‘The submission, while it included an element of e-Borders, also relates to the ability to continue issuing the variant British passport in Guernsey and the second phase of biometrics and our ability to facilitate Customs clearance and European requirements that such declarations will in future need to be made,’ he said.
Because all of the projects were long term and in very early stages of development, it was extremely difficult to provide any accurate cost, he said, but it was estimated to be up to £1m.
‘It’s the view of the Customs and Immigration Service that it’s absolutely vital both for the travelling public and for industry in the island to be able to continue to issue a British passport beyond 2012, which is the predicted time where the second generation biometric passport will need to be introduced.’
The island is part of the European common customs territory and so was required to meet European standards.
Last year, the UK Government, through the Minister of Justice, approached all three Crown Dependencies asking them to participate in its e-Borders programme.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
I strongly object to the Home Department using a civil servant to front their public relations effort in this matter.
It is, by common consent, unfair to attack such individuals as they are held to not have the right of reply.
However, I think it is fair comment to say that Rob Prow’s statement is an attempt to shut us all up by dragging before us such items as:
“the ability to continue issuing the variant British passport in Guernsey and the second phase of biometrics and our ability to facilitate Customs clearance and European requirements that such declarations will in future need to be made”.
Most impressive, but unexplained.
Let me make it clear that I am not blaming Rob Prow for this, but his political masters.
It speaks volumes for our elected representatives that it is left to the UK’s flawed political system to complain that the two Bailiwicks were insufficiently consulted in this matter.
Report abuse
Well said Mr Cranch.
Sad to see Geoff Mahy let a civil servant Rob Prow, describe “discussions in their infancy”
Report abuse
One million get real and we are not in the EU – yet!
Report abuse
Its an amazing thing,but I can travel from one end of Europe to the other,and back again,never see a border or get stopped to identify myself.But woe if I leave the EU borders,then I feel that I am half a citizen and my welcome to some countries is not condusive to a return visit.I have had my suitcases torn apart,and spent ages getting them repacked,I have had dogs with dirty feet tread all over the inside of my car,and on one occasion a large number of travellers were lined up as if they were about to be shot.Oh,don’t tell me,I know all about terrorists etc,but what is happening now is just what those terrorists aimed for – to restrict our freedom!
Report abuse
Is the implication that if we don’t do what we are told by the EU and UK that we are no longer “British” Citizens then?
That’s the implication of this comment. Or is it just another less than subtle blackmail ploy by a Government that want to be answerable to no-one except the UK MoJ. Pathetic.
It is about time that Guernsey stood up for itself instead of pandering to these people. Listen to your electorate. WE DON’T WANT THIS BIG BROTHER SOCIETY creeping over here and the UK Governing us by proxy. Wake up and smell the coffee people. We havent’ voted for this.
Report abuse
The UK relaxed their border control and so the influx of illegal immigrants numbered hundreds of thousands. Just how many of these went via Guernsey, my guess ZERO!.
Is this not just another nail in the ‘tax coffin’ increase the costs to Guernsey taxpayers, so they have to eventually raise taxes, is that not what the ‘secret’ UK/EU agenda is really all about.
Report abuse
It appears that our elected representatives do not understand the ramifications of this latest UK directive – and are rolling out senior civil servants to hide behind. It is very complicated but surely if we have to undertake this security screening as part of the UK e-borders scheme then some funds should be forthcoming from the UK Government?
Report abuse
Do you trust the EU, UK and Guernsey border controllers to only use the data they collect to track terrorists and criminals, and for no other purpose ?
Do you trust those authorities to keep the data completely secure and not leave it on a laptop on a train seat ?
Do you believe that sacrificing personal freedoms in this way will “make the world a safer place” ?
Do you think that it is acceptable for those authorities to threaten to withdraw our right to British passports if we do not comply ?
Do you think we should be subservient to EU directives even though we are not full members of the EU ?
Do you think this is a good way to spend £1 million pounds of taxpayers money ?
Do you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in a world where everthing they do and everywhere they go is monitored, filmed and recorded by government authorities ?
Personally I am finding it very hard to answer yes to any of those questions.
Report abuse
- Passport at stake
- HTR slots gone
- eborders treating us foreigners
- English government demonising us as evil offshore
- Students charged at International rates
- Fishing limits taken away
- Reciprocal Health agreement gone
- RoyalMail charging us as a foreign land
Looks like the UK is politely asking us to declare UDI
Report abuse
As a non EU citizen, I find it rather interesting that you are so vociferous in lambasting this move when in particular your governments continue to treat African and Asian citizens as pieces of trash.
For a non -Eu citizen to obtain a visa to travel anywhere you need to provide among others; your whole biometric details, show proof of sufficient funds, obtain a letter from your employer, provide your return flights, show evidence of available accomodation, fill over 10 pages of non-sense intrusive information among other loads of information and at the end of the day you are not guaranteed of getting a visa.
The treatment at airports is also extremely humiliating and makes you feel like a third rate citizen; a constant traveller will notice different immigration gates at the airports and the longest and less efficient happens to be non- Eu; does it mean that non EU citizens are more likely to carry drugs/avoid paying taxes/be terrorists than are EU citizens???
Guernsey people, you have no idea what it feels to be third rate and should consider yourselves extremely lucky… if not trade your passports for say an African passport!
Report abuse
Interesting comment from Vespine.
Are you saying you are treated in this way entering or leaving Guernsey – or the UK ? (Or both ?)
In any event I think that what we are arguing for here are less intrusive border contols and less “big brother” monitoring of people’s movements regardless of where they are from.
But I take your point, if you are already being treated as a second rate citizen then you are probably going to get an even harder time in an ever expanding surveillance society.
Report abuse
Vespine
Of course Asians are more likely to be terrorists, just look at the statistics. How many white people have been convicted of offences in the name of Islam.
Also, I have experienced the inconvenience of having to leave an Asian country to obtain a visa extension, then return to the country where I was originally, all because it’s not posible to remain in the original country whilst your visa’s being considered. Did I complain aout it or play the race card? No, I just got on with it.
Report abuse
>>Of course Asians are more likely to be terrorists<<
And the Irish. Watch them! Shifty looking they are
Report abuse
…and never trust anyone from Torteval either.
Report abuse
Jackie
You’re hilarious. You’re sense of humour is only matched by your intellect.
Face facts, how many Caucasians have been convicted of terrorist offences (with regard to the current “causes”) compared to Asians? The answer can only go to prove my point. Nothing racist about that whatsoever, just fact.
Report abuse
BELINDA ! WHERE ARE YOU ?
There be racist goings on here
Report abuse