Government should control our borders properly

8.08.00am GMT Thu 10th Dec 2009

The last Conservative Government was responsible for eliminating exit controls at ports and airports

Responding to Alan Johnson's comment that the public feel 'terrorised' by the idea of the population rising to 70 million, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, said: "Labour and the Tories seem more interested in what the population will be in 30 years time than in re-establishing control of our borders and a firm but fair immigration system. We need to halt illegal immigration and ensure migrants move to where they are needed. The Liberal Democrats would immediately reintroduce exit checks, give a border force police powers and introduce a regional points-based system."

Wantage and Didcot spokesman Alan Armitage explained: "It was the Conservative government of John Major which abolished exit checks at ports and airports, as a cost-cutting measure. The result is that the Immigration authorities now have absolutely no idea how many people who came to Britain on valid visas - as students, family visitors, or tourists - have stayed after their visas expired. Many say the numbers run into hundreds of thousands. 'Over-stayers' are not entitled to work legally, so far too many of them get involved in criminal activities, just in order to survive here. The cost to society has been vastly greater than the amount saved by cutting a few passport officers. Both Labour and Conservatives must take the blame for this dangerous state of affairs."