Parts of Heathrow Airport resemble a “Third World slum” and need to be immediately refurbished if we want to welcome tourists, according to a senior Labour backbencher.

Former Europe minister Denis MacShane (Rotherham) said it was easier to get in to Pakistan or North Korea for tourists, who were greeted by “surly, disagreeable officials” and “horrible 1970s collectivist architecture” at terminals one and three.

Tourism Minister John Penrose said there were plans to refurbish a number of entry ports to the UK.

During questions in the Commons yesterday, Mr MacShane said: “If we want tourists to come to Britain, can we give them a slightly better welcome?

“Arriving at terminals one and three at Heathrow, it’s like a Third World slum. It’s easier to get in to Pakistan or North Korea.

“There are very surly, disagreeable officials, horrible 1970s collectivist architecture. Can we brighten up this gateway to Britain?”

John Penrose replied: “I agree with you that we do as a country need to do more to make our entry ports more welcoming to foreigners and British people returning from abroad.

“There are a number of measures that we are currently actively considering.”

Tory Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) said the length of immigration queues for non-EU nationals could be “depressing”.

He said it should be easier for visitors from countries which don’t need a visa to enter the UK, such as the United States, Canada or New Zealand, to clear immigration. Mr Penrose replied that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport was in “close discussions” with the Home Office and UK Border Agency about making it easier and quicker for those with chipped passports to enter the UK.