The noble Lord, Lord Kingsland, put his finger on the problem which was created by Mr Blunkett’s abolition of appeals in immigration cases and the creation of a single tier. I am sure that when he did so—although I have not had the opportunity of checking Hansard—he said that it...

The noble Lord, Lord Kingsland, put his finger on the problem which was created by Mr Blunkett’s abolition of appeals in immigration cases and the creation of a single tier. I am sure that when he did so—although I have not had the opportunity of checking Hansard—he said that it...

I support the amendment in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Shutt. The Government’s utterances on identity checks at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic have been unclear. In truth, that reflects either muddled thinking by the Government or a reluctance to come clean about what they...

I support the amendment in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Shutt. The Government’s utterances on identity checks at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic have been unclear. In truth, that reflects either muddled thinking by the Government or a reluctance to come clean about what they...

Before the noble Baroness withdraws the amendment, may I make one remark? This is clearly a complex matter. I am a little concerned that, at this stage of the Bill, we may be making quite definite interpretations of what this clause means. This might be seen by others as setting...

Before the noble Baroness withdraws the amendment, may I make one remark? This is clearly a complex matter. I am a little concerned that, at this stage of the Bill, we may be making quite definite interpretations of what this clause means. This might be seen by others as setting...

I, too, was surprised to find Clause 50 tucked away in the Bill so soon after the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill received Royal Assent in 2007. A key feature of the Act was that asylum and immigration cases were excluded from the operation of Section 19, so that High...

I, too, was surprised to find Clause 50 tucked away in the Bill so soon after the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill received Royal Assent in 2007. A key feature of the Act was that asylum and immigration cases were excluded from the operation of Section 19, so that High...

First, I declare an interest: I am chancellor of a university. It is interesting to see how many Members of the Committee are involved in education, which, in many ways, I find reassuring.

First, I declare an interest: I am chancellor of a university. It is interesting to see how many Members of the Committee are involved in education, which, in many ways, I find reassuring.

I am very glad that the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, raised this matter of the withdrawal of funds from the children’s panel. It seems to me incongruous to talk about safeguarding children and, in particular, the disappeared children referred to by the noble Lords, Lord Ramsbotham and Lord Hylton, when...

I am very glad that the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, raised this matter of the withdrawal of funds from the children’s panel. It seems to me incongruous to talk about safeguarding children and, in particular, the disappeared children referred to by the noble Lords, Lord Ramsbotham and Lord Hylton, when...

The purpose of the amendment is to allow those born to fathers not married to their mothers to register as British citizens. In the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, the law was changed so that children born to British fathers who were not married to their non-British and not-settled...

The purpose of the amendment is to allow those born to fathers not married to their mothers to register as British citizens. In the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, the law was changed so that children born to British fathers who were not married to their non-British and not-settled...

I thank the Minister for his response. I was slightly worried about the word "incremental". As a Yorkshireman I thought, good heavens, is Lancashire next? I worry about that word "incremental" in all forms of legislation. It is also slightly worrying that the noble Lord, Lord West, in going to...

I thank the Minister for his response. I was slightly worried about the word "incremental". As a Yorkshireman I thought, good heavens, is Lancashire next? I worry about that word "incremental" in all forms of legislation. It is also slightly worrying that the noble Lord, Lord West, in going to...

I shall just probe a little further on this. Is the Minister saying that if, on the other side of a border, in another country, embassy staff are suspicious that there may be an ulterior motive in some of the trafficking that is going on involving children, they would alert...

I shall just probe a little further on this. Is the Minister saying that if, on the other side of a border, in another country, embassy staff are suspicious that there may be an ulterior motive in some of the trafficking that is going on involving children, they would alert...

We on these Benches are grateful to the noble Baroness for tabling the amendment. Although we will not know exactly how many young children and babies, in particular, are trafficked, the Minister may have in his briefing the number of prosecutions that there have been and the penalties given to...

We on these Benches are grateful to the noble Baroness for tabling the amendment. Although we will not know exactly how many young children and babies, in particular, are trafficked, the Minister may have in his briefing the number of prosecutions that there have been and the penalties given to...

I shall certainly ensure that we put those details on the website. I hope that we can put some sensible timescales to it as well. I shall see if that can be done.

I shall certainly ensure that we put those details on the website. I hope that we can put some sensible timescales to it as well. I shall see if that can be done.

The new clause gives us an opportunity to open up the question of the retention of biometric substances, fingerprinting falling within that, and I share the concerns of the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, about the fact that we have not yet responded to the European directive. I think that an...

The new clause gives us an opportunity to open up the question of the retention of biometric substances, fingerprinting falling within that, and I share the concerns of the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, about the fact that we have not yet responded to the European directive. I think that an...

It must be clear to the Government by now that there is widespread concern about Clause 46 and the details of it. However, I should like to mention my experience of the last time that I flew to Belfast from London in November last year. I was asked to produce...

It must be clear to the Government by now that there is widespread concern about Clause 46 and the details of it. However, I should like to mention my experience of the last time that I flew to Belfast from London in November last year. I was asked to produce...

I assume that the noble Baroness is talking about a "dawn raid" in this country; of course, this Bill covers anything that happens in this country. Our responsibility for looking after children is covered by that, because it is taking place in this country. As for escorting children overseas, when...

I assume that the noble Baroness is talking about a "dawn raid" in this country; of course, this Bill covers anything that happens in this country. Our responsibility for looking after children is covered by that, because it is taking place in this country. As for escorting children overseas, when...

I speak to Amendment 116; I hope that I am not speaking out of place. It might be interpreted as also including those children and young people about whom there is some uncertainty as to whether they are children or adults. This has been a bone of contention for a...

I speak to Amendment 116; I hope that I am not speaking out of place. It might be interpreted as also including those children and young people about whom there is some uncertainty as to whether they are children or adults. This has been a bone of contention for a...

I also support the amendment. It may well be that it can be explained in a way that will satisfy all of us who are concerned about the whole issue. The way in which the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, explained the issue and the history leading up to it reminded...

I also support the amendment. It may well be that it can be explained in a way that will satisfy all of us who are concerned about the whole issue. The way in which the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, explained the issue and the history leading up to it reminded...

In the previous group of amendments, perhaps I should have mentioned that when children are trafficked for the purposes of benefit fraud, often they may be disguised as children travelling in the care of a relative. That is another instance where great vigilance is needed. Amendment 117B in this group...

In the previous group of amendments, perhaps I should have mentioned that when children are trafficked for the purposes of benefit fraud, often they may be disguised as children travelling in the care of a relative. That is another instance where great vigilance is needed. Amendment 117B in this group...

I hope that the Minister will be able to accept these amendments today because they reflect a most serious concern that has already been referred to—the trafficking of young children. The first two amendments in this group can be seen as providing belt and braces support for Amendment 117B. That...

I hope that the Minister will be able to accept these amendments today because they reflect a most serious concern that has already been referred to—the trafficking of young children. The first two amendments in this group can be seen as providing belt and braces support for Amendment 117B. That...

Whilst I am not aware of the specific issue that the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, raised about the cultivation of cannabis, that is a criminal offence. If the police were to encounter children in that situation, they would pursue the culprit who was doing that and safeguard the children they...

Whilst I am not aware of the specific issue that the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, raised about the cultivation of cannabis, that is a criminal offence. If the police were to encounter children in that situation, they would pursue the culprit who was doing that and safeguard the children they...

I thank the Minister for that—that is heartening. Perhaps he would like to also publish at some point the sentences that those people received. Can he give me an assurance that the trafficked children—even if they were working in the circumstances described by the noble Lord, Lord Hylton—are never prosecuted,...

I thank the Minister for that—that is heartening. Perhaps he would like to also publish at some point the sentences that those people received. Can he give me an assurance that the trafficked children—even if they were working in the circumstances described by the noble Lord, Lord Hylton—are never prosecuted,...