To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that those travelling in (a) private helicopters and (b) very light jets or other private light aircraft do not evade immigration controls. (223052)

The UK Border Agency, working closely with the police, pursues an intelligence-led and risk-based approach to immigration control for flights in the general aviation sector.

Operators or pilots of flights to the UK from abroad submit General Aviation Reports (GARs) which include passenger and crew data. This information is checked against watch lists to inform action by the police and local border offices. This includes meeting arrivals and also unannounced visits to provide information on activities at particular locations.

We will update the GAR system with a new reporting and checking system fully integrated into e-borders. In line with recommendations from the Cabinet Office Review, “Security in a Global Hub”, we are examining other supplementary protective measures.