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Illegal Migration Bill - Exemption for agents, allies and employees of the UK Overseas Territories
17 April 2024
Lead MP
Michael Tomlinson
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Michael Tomlinson raised concerns about illegal migration bill - exemption for agents, allies and employees of the uk overseas territories in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves to disagree with Lords amendment 1D. Proposes that nothing in the bill engages Commons financial privilege.
Eleanor Laing
Con
Welsh Guards
Confirms that nothing in the Lords message engages Commons financial privilege. Discusses Lords amendments 3E, 6D, and 10D with government motions to disagree.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Questions the reasonableness of Lord Hope's amendment which sets up an independent body to assert Rwanda is a safe place.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asks if there is the same freedom of religion or belief in Rwanda as in the United Kingdom and expresses disquiet about this issue.
Concerned that Lords amendments would muddle legislation, leaving it open to unnecessary court challenges. Questions if unamended Bill will do the job effectively.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Reiterates concerns about the wording of the Bill being clear and unambiguous to avoid Supreme Court challenges.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Asks if the Minister will ensure that the report is laid before Parliament for review.
Bob Neill
Con
Bromley and Chislehurst
Questions why Lord Hope's moderate amendment should be thought to delay the Bill or give rise to challenges, suggesting it could help review facts if they change.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Expresses concern about past difficulties faced by those who helped the UK and questions why assurances for the future should be believed, supporting the need for an amendment.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
Kinnock argues that the bill undermines constitutional conventions and rule of law. He criticises the Government's lack of commitment to removing failed asylum seekers, noting a 44% drop since 2010. He supports Lord Browne’s amendment due to moral and military logic for not sending Afghans who fought alongside British troops to Rwanda.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Intervened, arguing that an Act of Parliament should be clear and unambiguous in its wording, and courts must give effect to those words as per rule of law.
John Redwood
Con
Wokingham
Asked where the proposed returns unit would send illegals to, questioning whether receiving countries would want to receive them.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay and South Devon
Questioned whether Kinnock had made any attempt to find out what the issues might be with India issuing emergency travel documents immediately.
He opposes amendments 1D and 6D, stating they do not improve the bill. He also criticises amendment 10D for failing to address the needs of a specific class of people who served the country in dangerous conditions. However, he supports amendment 3E proposed by Lord Hope as it introduces a mechanism to ensure that Rwanda remains safe for deportation and provides leeway for parliamentary review if circumstances change.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
He shares reservations about the inability of the House to reconsider the matter of Rwanda’s safety under current legislation. He argues that Lord Hope's amendment might give the monitoring committee the final say on Rwanda's safety, which would undermine parliamentary sovereignty.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Supports Lords amendment 1D as it ensures compliance with international law and domestic legislation such as the Human Rights Act. She argues that there is no mechanism in the legislation or treaty to declare Rwanda unsafe if circumstances change, which could have severe implications for refugees' human rights and safety. Thewliss also supports amendments 3E and 6D due to concerns over the lack of independent scrutiny mechanisms and proper decision-making authority by UK authorities. She expresses deep concern about the potential impact of the Bill on Afghan refugees and criticises the Government's handling of their relocation policies.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Argues that Lord Coaker’s amendment 1D is disingenuous for mixing unrelated issues and challenges Labour’s position on the matter. He asserts that Parliament's sovereignty prevails over prerogative matters, particularly in this context where there are clear statutory provisions rather than treaties. Cash emphasises the importance of maintaining the principle of constitutional propriety.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Supports Lords amendments 1D, 3E, 6D due to concerns over compliance with international law, need for independent monitoring of Rwanda’s safety status, and ensuring proper legal challenges are possible. She also supports amendment 10D for its recognition of obligations towards those who have helped UK armed forces overseas.
Hayes and Harlington
Mr. McDonnell argues that Lords amendment 3E allows Parliament to revisit its judgment when facts change due to instability in Africa, ensuring flexibility. He points out the failure of existing schemes for Afghan veterans' security and supports Lords amendment 10D as a measure to ensure future commitment to securing their rights. Mr. McDonnell also highlights Baroness Chakrabarti’s amendment 6D as essential for upholding parliamentary duties.
Mr. Tomlinson criticises Labour's failure to provide a realistic alternative solution and emphasises that letting the Bill pass will send a clear message about illegal immigration consequences, including swift return to home or safe third countries like Rwanda.
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