Police will be able to collect information about passengers under a trial scheme being proposed to bolster border security.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas unveiled the plan for a Passenger Travel Information Scheme in Tynwald.

He stressed that the scheme will not require passengers to provide any additional information when booking or to carry or produce identification when they travel.

But some MHKs raised concerns about the protection of personal data.

Daphne Caine (Garff) said she puzzled about what the considered threats are that made the measure necessary. ’I thought the Isle of Man was a very safe place to be,’ she said, and questioned for what purposes and on what grounds, the information was being gathered.

She suggested it could be used as a ’fishing and surveillance’ exercise by police. ’It’s lazy policing,’ she claimed.

The Minister said it is important to recognise the difference between border control - which relates to immigration and customs - and border security, which is about preventing and detecting crime.

Mr Thomas said the border security policy approved by the Council of Ministers in June this year safeguards unhindered freedom of travel between the island, the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands without the need to show a passport.

But to enhance the Constabulary’s ability to protect the island from crime, the short-term trial was being developed under existing legislation.

He said the scheme is not yet finalised and he would come back in the summer with details.

The trial scheme will use powers under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 to allow police to collect specified information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences.

Mr Thomas said: ’We acknowledge this process involves handling personal information.

’Consequently we are ensuring there are robust policies and procedures in place to protect this data.’

He said police are drawing up a policy detailing the length of time information can be retained, who can have access to the data and how subject access requests will be processed.

Mr Thomas told the court: ’We do not use these powers lightly, but we must act to mitigate risk.

’I am content that there are sufficient controls and safeguards in place so that the need for information is balanced by the checks and balances to avoid misuse.’

Mrs Caine asked if the move complied with data protection. The Minister replied that the information commissioner is aware of the scheme.