Contributions
816 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Third sitting)The contrast is interesting. The Opposition want to see a Border Security Commander independently empowered to make meaningful changes to secure the border, rather than another…04 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Third sitting)I thought that we would get a bit further through the Bill before we got into records. In real terms, there has been a marked increase in the number of people coming here since…04 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Third sitting)Clause 5 provides that a partner authority has duties, so far as is “appropriate and reasonably practicable,” to co-operate with the commander in carrying out the commander’s…04 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Third sitting)I think there is an opportunity to strengthen this role so that it can provide that real fundamental change that we are apparently looking for in this Bill. I would not…04 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Third sitting)If we are to have a Border Security Commander, we want an effective one who can publish a strategy without being subject to a political veto, who has priorities aligned to the UK…04 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2025It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. These two very different instruments underline the importance of funding and creating a secure border. The Border…03 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (First sitting)Q Do you think the new endangerment offence will make any difference to channel crossings? Dr Peter Walsh: Evidence from academic research shows that the impacts of deterrence…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q A nice broad question: are there any provisions you would like to see added to this Bill to strengthen our ability to drive down illegal crossings? Alp Mehmet: May I just make a…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q What concerns, if any, do you have about the Bill as drafted? Jim Pearce: From a policing point of view, there would be insurance around safeguarding. For the electronic…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you have anything to add on that, Karl? Karl Williams: I have two brief points to reinforce what Tony was saying. It feels to me like the Bill focuses on disruption and the…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Are there any lessons from abroad that we are failing to learn at this point? Tony Smith: One thing I have raised is the possibility of a biometric entry/exit system, which we…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you have any particular concerns about the Bill as drafted, or any suggested ways in which it might be improved to achieve its ends? David Coleman: The sad fact is that I do…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you think that the Bill will be effective in achieving its aims? How could it be made more effective? Professor Brian Bell: I think it is fair to say that it is an open…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Are there any lessons that we are failing to learn from abroad? Professor Brian Bell: I do not think so, in the sense that I do not think any country has experienced these…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Looking at the changing approach, particularly around the repeal of the Illegal Migration Act, repealing section 2 of the Act removes the obligation on the Government to remove…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q On the obligation to remove people who arrive here illegally, whether it is in that Act or in the Bill being brought forward, why are we removing that as a principle? Dame…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q I understand that comment, but do you not think that, as part of that approach, it should be an obligation on the Government to remove people who come here illegally? Dame…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q Further to that, the principle in the previous legislation was that if someone arrived in this country illegally, they could not become a British citizen. That was there in the…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q But we have taken that out. Dame Angela Eagle: We have taken that out of primary legislation because it was connected with the duty to remove, which was about the interplay of…27 Feb 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Second sitting)Q The Illegal Migration Act also made provisions, in sections 57 and 58, for scientific age verification. We are removing that as well. Why would we want to remove those powers…27 Feb 2025