A record number of fingerprints – over 100,000 a month – are now being collected from foreign nationals overseas applying to come the UK, the Government announced last Friday. Visa applicants in 100 countries worldwide are required to provide fingerprints if they want to visit to the UK for work, study or tourism. The Government pledges to take the fingerprint of every foreign national applying for a British visa by April 2008. Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: “Biometric checks are essential to protect our borders.” Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister Dr Kim Howells said: “Recording biometric information allows us to fix an individual’s identity at the earliest point practicable and track their future dealings with the UK.”http://themuslimweekly.com/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=79E939EA6BF9D8BA2AE8CD49&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News
