[holding answer 27 October 2008]: Crew members who are based in the United Kingdom and those who arrive as passengers in order to join an aircraft as a member of the crew, are subject to the same controls and checks as other passengers. In line with the Immigration Act 1971, other arriving aircrew are able to enter the UK without leave from an immigration officer, provided they are embarking as crew within seven days.
This concession is monitored through joint operations conducted by the UK Border Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and the police, on a risk-assessed, intelligence-led basis. Close liaison is maintained with the carriers regarding any criminal offences committed by those allowed to operate in this country as aircrew.
In future, e-Borders will require carriers to provide all passenger and crew data to the UK Border Agency, in advance of travel, for journeys to and from the United Kingdom. This data will be checked against watchlists and when a person of interest is identified, the relevant law enforcement agency will be notified. A comprehensive travel history will also be maintained, allowing us to record who has travelled to the United Kingdom, whether as crew or passenger, and when they have left.