Passports

[jackthehat]

I had a conversation yesterday with an acquaintance who was quite upset. A close family member is quite poorly and the expectation is that he will die. This person lives in Australia. Jane would like to fly to Oz sometime soon. She doesn't want to make the long, sad journey alone. However, Jane's partner, John, doesn't have a current passport. He is reluctant to apply for a new one because of all of the new biometric data, etc. Apparently, for some years now he has been living 'under the radar'; I rather think that he doesn't trouble the tax man.........(although don't quote me on that). As the customs and revenue are now amalgamated he worries that as he steps off the plane at Heathrow, he may get a tap on the shoulder and asked to step into a small room.......... Can any of you knowledgable folks give me the likelihood of this happening ? P.S. Please don't shoot the messenger. :o)

[jackthehat]

I shall have to stamp in a minute..........!
I don't understand quite how I am failing to get the substance of the dilemma across...........

He's NOT prevaricating.

He's terrified that instead of a man in a hat glancing at his passport and asking him either if he enjoyed his flight, or whether he has a budgie in his socks...........there'll be a glance up, a further study of the passport, a look at the computer screen, a few mouse-clicks, a slight cough and the request that he steps into a side-room.

If the definitive answer is 'No' the government computers are not yet so linked as for this scenario to be likely, that is what I'll tell Jane.........

[factor-fiction]

Sorry if I am the cause of your frustration!

I think Skyline answered that as best we can. The chances are very unlikely- although in the unlikely event he is on some police/immigration 'wanted list' then there is a bigger chance he'll be collared.

All I'm saying is that whatever assurances you give may not persuade him, especially if there is some other hidden reason why he is not rushing to submit a passport application.

[chattykathy]

My sister is a Civil Servant and she reckons they don't know their a*se from their elbow and not all the Government computers talk to each other. I doubt very much Customs will be looking for tax cheats and as many people on here have said if they were after him they would have found him.

[jackthehat]

With all due respect.............why are you helpful folks intent on trying to find ulterior motives in this ?

I do not believe that there is any other problem apart from the Tax/N.I. issue.

[ummmm]

Put it this way.....THE COMPUTERS ARE NOT CONNECTED.

All they do is gather information. He can travel safely. Tell him not to worry.