Vigilant hauliers could escape stowaway fines
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• Vigilant hauliers who are constantly on the look-out for illegal immigrants might be excluded from the Home Office's plans to fine operators £2,000 for every stowaway discovered in their trucks.
In a letter to Commercial Motor, Immigration Minister Mike O'Brien promises to consider whether impending legislation could include safeguards for vigilant drivers.
But he stresses that the legislation will go ahead because illegal immigration is costing tax payers so much money.
O'Brien adds that while the Government has no wish to penalise operators, they must accept responsibility for their vehicles as they are the main means of entry for immigrants.
The letter comes in response to hauliers' claims in last week's issue that they were victims of organised crime and were unable to keep the immigrants out of their trucks (News Analysis, CM14-20 Jan).
-1 O'Brien's letter will be published in full in next week's CM.