Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL]

My Lords, I asked exactly the same question this morning when I was being briefed. The role of the monitor is currently carried out by a designated senior customs official. To strengthen these arrangements in the light of the formation of UKBA, consideration is being given on whether an independent system of oversight can be put in place in respect of matters arising at the juxtaposed controls that involve border force officers, officials and/or contracted staff and which, though they do not warrant criminal investigation, represent allegations of serious misconduct. Currently such matters would be investigated by the border force’s professional standards unit. It is not, however, subject to independent oversight. Turning to oversight of matters arising at the non-juxtaposed overseas locations, such as those where immigration liaison managers, formerly known as airline liaison officers, operate, I can confirm that no enforcement powers are exercised at these locations. With regard to Northern Ireland, the Government plan to introduce in a Bill later this year proposals for the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to play a similar role there to that which the IPCC has currently in England and Wales. Oversight in Scotland is already provided by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which has a role to play in case of death or inference of criminality. I apologise for not having sent the letter and will ensure that I do so to give the best response on that. If there are any points that I have missed, I shall be happy to write to the noble Lord, but I hope that he is reassured that the existing and planned provisions will ensure that such serious matters are subject to an appropriate and proportionate level of scrutiny and will therefore feel able to withdraw his amendment.