To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to paragraph 8.19 of the United Kingdom’s Strategy for Countering International Terrorism, published in March 2009, what recent progress his Department has made on the formation of powers to exclude European Economic Area nationals from entering the UK on grounds of national security, unacceptable behaviour, public order or serious criminality. (284052)

Amendments to the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 were laid on 5 May and came into effect on 1 June. Among other changes, the Home Secretary now has the personal power to exclude EEA individuals, and members of their families, if he considers that their exclusion from the UK is justified on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health.

Depending upon the exact circumstances, EEA nationals, and members of their family, who are considered to pose a threat to national security, who have engaged in unacceptable behaviour or who have committed public order or serious criminal offences may fall to be excluded on the grounds of public policy or public security.