Lord German (LD)

Obviously, this is very straightforward, but the title of the order is perhaps misleading to anybody outside this place who does not realise that it is as straightforward as has been suggested. I can recall being in this very Room when we moved the age down to 10, and the Minister at that time said that he had twins aged 10, and therefore he felt very comfortable about that proposal. I am the grandfather of an eight year-old. I do not know whether this is of any significance, but it certainly raised questions about some technicalities which I would like to ask the Minister. Paragraph 35 of the Economic Note states: “Planned eGate and Home Office system testing … will provide more … estimates on the security” etc. of “allowing … children”. Has this testing taken place and, if not, will it take place before the start date of 8 July? Secondly, I welcome the fact that the Minister is looking for further countries to be admitted. I now turn to the three feet 11 issue. I am assuming that that measurement is correct, because it is 120 cm, and I am sure the Minister has worked it out. As I understand it from the associated notes, 10% of children in that age bracket are below that height. That is quite a significant number, if 10% do what they do at theme parks, which is to stand next to the measure on tiptoe so they can get on the ride, as I have seen frequently—sometimes encouraged by their parents. If they are three feet 10, for example, what would happen? Presumably, the machinery would not work: the camera would not be at the right height to take their face and biometric details, which had already been provided. There would have to be a turnaround, and the usual problem of people not being able to work the gates. The second question relates to a single adult with a child, and the single adult being either requested or told to go through first. I would be loath to leave an eight year-old child behind two sets of sliding doors. I have seen what happens, often, with 10 year-olds who have been in front of me in the queue: they do not necessarily do what they are supposed to do, which is put your feet on the marks and look at the camera. Usually, the parent will then lean over the gate and shout at them and say, “Put your feet on that; stand up straight; look at the camera”, as parents would want to do with their children.