UK border entry plans could breach EU free movement laws

UK government plans to collect the records of everyone who enters and leaves Britain have been condemned by major transport operators.

Under the so-called e-borders scheme, data will be gathered from passengers at sea and air ports and international rail stations.

Computerised records of all 250 million journeys made by individuals in and out of the UK each year would be kept for up to 10 years.

But a hearing in the British House of Commons on Tuesday heard that the plans are "impractical" and will not work.

Representatives of ferry, air and rail firms also said the programme could breach EU laws on freedom of movement and would add significant costs to operators and inconvenience to passengers.

Their comments were echoed by UK Tory MEP Philip Bradbourn, deputy chairman of the justice and home affairs committee, who said, "While the E-borders scheme is well-intentioned it is impractical and intrusive.

"The government has lost control of our borders and laying down an intrusive surveillance net on innocent British travellers is not the best way of regaining it.

"The British government will know our every move at home and abroad. There will be no escaping our surveillance state.

"These proposals will tip the balance between necessary protection against terrorism and dangerous encroachment on our civil liberties.

"The right enshrined in the EU's treaties to free and easy movement across the EU will be lost under these proposals and it is time the government rethought them."

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