Commentary Inspection and oversight Section 28: Inspections by the Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency
120.Sections 28(1) and (2) make amendments to section 48 of the UKBA 2007 which established a single independent inspectorate for the Border and Immigration Agency. Subsection (1) substitutes a reference to “the UK Border Agency” for the reference to “the Border and Immigration Agency” in section 48(1) of the 2007 Act. Subsection (2) inserts a new subsection (1A) into section 48 which specifies that the functions of the Chief Inspector apply to the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of functions by designated customs officials, immigration officers and officials of the Secretary of State exercising customs functions or functions relating to immigration, asylum or nationality, the Secretary of State in so far as the Secretary of State has general customs functions or functions relating to immigration, asylum or nationality, the Director and any person exercising functions of the Director.
121.Section 28(3) makes further amendments to section 48 of the UKBA 2007 consequential on the changes made in subsections (1) and (2). It also makes provision to require the independent Chief Inspector to monitor and report on (i) UKBA’s practice and procedure in relation to criminal matters, both immigration- and customs-related, and (ii) whether customs functions are being appropriately exercised by the Secretary of State and Director of Border Revenue. Section 28(4) also inserts the new subsection (2A) into section 48 of the UKBA 2007 which sets out the functions that will not fall within the remit of the Inspector unless directed to do so by the Secretary of State.
122.Section 28(5) to (9) makes further consequential amendments and section 28(10) enables the Chief Inspector of the Border and Immigration Agency to be treated immediately when this section comes into force as if appointed as the Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency.