6.12.09
QUEEN ELIZABETH NOW TO PRESENT PASSPORT UPON ENTERING AND LEAVING ENGLAND
QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS TO BE FORCED TO GO THROUGH AN IDENTITY CHECK EVERY TIME SHE FLIES INTO AND OUT OF BRITAIN. FOR THE FIRST TIME, HER MAJESTY WILL BE COMPELLED TO GIVE HER FULL NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, NATIONALITY, GENDER AND PLACE OF BIRTH TO IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, WHO WILL THEN CHECK THAT SHE IS NOT ON A LIST OF TERRORISTS. FOREIGN HEADS OF STATE, INCLUDING AMERICAN PRESIDENT OBAMA, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL ALSO HAVE TO SUBMIT TO THE SECURITY CHECKS UNDER NEW BORDER CONTROLS, CALLED E-BORDERS. IT IS UNCLEAR HOW THE QUEEN WILL BE ASKED FOR HER PERSONAL INFORMATION AS SHE IS NOT REQUIRED TO CARRY A PASSPORT AND WOULD NORMALLY BE MET OFF THE AIRCRAFT BY HER CHAUFFEUR-DRIVEN CAR. THE NEW SYSTEM ASKS FOR A PASSPORT NUMBER, EXPIRY DATE AND DETAILS OF WHERE THE PASSPORT WAS ISSUED. BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS BEEN WARNED THAT THE QUEEN WILL NOT BE EXEMPT FROM PROVIDING 'TRAVEL DOCUMENT INFORMATION' (TDI), WHICH WILL THEN BE UPLOADED ON TO THE £750 MILLION COMPUTER SYSTEM AT THE NATIONAL BORDER TARGETING CENTER NEAR MANCHESTER AIRPORT. THE NEW SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RECORD OF EVERYTHING CROSSING THE UK BORDER BY PLANE, SEA OR VIA THE CHANNEL TUNNEL TO 'STRENGTHEN THE SECURITY OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN AND VISIT THE COUNTRY'. ROYAL SOURCES SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WOULD COMPLY WITH WHATEVER SECURITY PROCEDURES THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED UPON. A BUCKINGHAM PALACE SPOKESMAN SAID; 'AS A BRITISH PASSPORT IS ISSUED IN THE NAME OF HER MAJESTY, IT IS UNNECESSARY FOR THE QUEEN TO POSSESS ONE. ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, INCLUDING THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND THE PRINCE OF WALES, HAVE PASSPORTS.'
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