Contributions
456 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)Thank you, Chair, and good morning, everybody. The Government say they are introducing this Bill because they want people who need our protection to use safe and legal routes, but…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)Thank you, Ms McDonagh. That was a rather ridiculous intervention, so I was unsure whether to reply to it.21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)I absolutely endorse the ambition for everyone to be able to get here by safe and legal routes, but nothing in the Bill will set up any safe and legal routes. In fact, they will…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)Absolutely, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for reminding me of that. For me, it is wider than that: Afghanistan just showed us what is happening throughout the world. It may have…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)Exactly. I thank the hon. Member for saying that. The right hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby argues that those who have money are not vulnerable or in danger of persecution.…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)I agree that it is right that local authorities are consulted, so the Minister will forgive me for being a little cynical that that will happen. When asylum seekers were put into…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)I know that we have said “another letter” a number of times today, but I appreciate that offer. I understand that the Minister might not have heard of the unit because it is in…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)I was really glad to hear the Minister say that, but then my cynical friend the hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark pointed out that this is not about the intention but…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)Earlier today, I asked about safe and legal routes. The Minister said that by the time the Bill is enacted, a safe and legal route from Afghanistan will be up and running. I asked…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)Will the Minister give way?21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)Does the hon. Gentleman not think it would be more helpful and more humane to have the safe and legal routes before we enact the Bill so that we do not have a gap for however long…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)I do not know where to start with that. I take real exception to what the right hon. Gentleman said about my endorsement of people smugglers and those routes. I have been very…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)I give way to the hon. Member for Halifax.21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)I would absolutely support that. I had no intention of speaking for any more than five minutes, but Members keep on interrupting and goading me. I want to make two more little…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)The Minister says that he hopes that, by the time the Bill is enacted, the safe and legal route will be up and running. We are talking about Afghanistan. Does he mean that, by the…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Member keeps talking about people coming here illegally to apply for refugee status. Of the 5,000 people who came last year by boat, 98% were deemed by the Home Office to…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)We heard that the devolved Governments were prevented from taking part in the consultation because it took place during purdah in the run-up to their elections. However, Shona…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)The hon. Gentleman is being generous in giving way, at least. He seems so determined to stop illegal crossings—not illegal people, illegal crossings—and I agree that no one wants…21 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Fifth sitting)Before I come to what I was going to say, may I respond to the right hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby as well? He does not need that reassurance, and he does not need to…19 Oct 2021HANSARDNationality and Borders Bill (Sixth sitting)I want to acknowledge the people who were caught up in the Windrush scandal and their tenacity in hanging on in there and sticking it out. I also want to recognise all the…19 Oct 2021