Fines war on illegal migrants

EUROSTAR will be fined pounds 2,000 for each person it carries from Brussels to London without proper papers, the Government will announce today, writes Andrew Buncombe.

The measure will extend the 1987 Carrier Liability Act to Eurostar. At the moment it applies to airlines and ferries which carry illegal immigrants.The move, to be announced by immigration minister Michael O'Brien, follows the revelation that 900 immigrants from Kenya and Yugoslavia recently arrived in Britain on Eurostar. The move could cost Eurostar pounds 1m a month if current levels of people arriving without correct paperwork continues.

t Mr O'Brien said last night that children must all have their own passports in future. The minister said the move would improve security and make child abduction more difficult. The change will take effect from 5 October this year.