Information Section 31: Provision of information to immigration officers
68.Section 31(2) amends Paragraph 27 of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 to enable the collection of passenger lists and crew information on or before the arrival of a ship or aircraft into the United Kingdom.  As it stands paragraph 27(2) allows passenger lists or crew information to be requested for ships or aircraft arriving in the UK but this allows information to be collected in advance.  Section 31(2) also introduces a new power to request passenger lists or crew information from a ship or aircraft which is leaving or is expected to leave the United Kingdom.
69.Paragraph 27(2) is amended to apply to the owners or agents of ship or aircraft as well as the captain.
70.It also amends paragraph 27(2) to enable the Secretary of State to require the information to be provided in the form and manner that he directs for example by electronic means.
71.Section 31(3) amends Paragraph 27(B) of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 to enable an immigration officer also to request service information about the voyage or flight relating to ships or aircraft of the carrier.  Service information will be specified in secondary legislation.
72.Section 31(3) also makes consequential amendments to offences under section 27 of the Immigration Act 1971.