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Asylum and Immigration (EU Withdrawal) Bill - Amendments 3B, 3C, 6B, 7B, 9, 10B
15 April 2024
Lead MP
Michael Tomlinson
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
Michael Tomlinson raised concerns about asylum and immigration (eu withdrawal) bill - amendments 3b, 3c, 6b, 7b, 9, 10b 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:
Eleanor Laing
Con
West Ham
Clarified that the Lords' amendments do not engage Commons financial privilege and moved to discuss several Government motions disagreeing with specific Lords amendments.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberavon Maesteg
Argued against the Rwanda scheme, citing high costs and lack of efficacy. Emphasised that redirecting funds to a cross-border police unit could be more effective.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Intervened to suggest using legislative power to address global warming and public health issues, aligning with Stephen Kinnock's critique of the scheme.
Interrupted Stephen Kinnock to urge him to focus on debating the amendments rather than making broad criticisms of the Rwanda scheme.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay and South Devon
Asked about the number of spaces needed for resettlement under an alternative scheme, challenging Stephen Kinnock's policy proposals.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Houghton and Sunderland South
Compared the Rwanda scheme to a dead parrot, suggesting it is ineffective and should be abandoned.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Agreed with criticisms of the bill as inhumane, costly, and unworkable, arguing that it reflects poorly on the government's ability to manage migration.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Argued that the amendments are wrecking amendments and urged for clarity in legislation regarding international law, while dismissing opposition arguments as repetitive.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Thewliss criticises the Government for failing to secure a workable plan, with airlines refusing flights and Rwanda lacking facilities. She raises concerns about human rights abuses in Rwanda and improper age assessments of minors. Emphasises the risks of re-trafficking victims sent there. Highlights that dozens of Rwandans have submitted asylum claims in the UK while the Government tries to send people to Rwanda.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Grady intervenes, questioning how the UK can criticise other countries for breaching international law when it ignores its own treaties like the ECHR.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Cash questions Thewliss on her stance regarding judicial fact-finding and argues that courts must be allowed to take into account facts, such as age assessment issues, without being constrained by the legislation.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Slaughter intervenes, supporting Thewliss’s arguments, citing an example of a vulnerable individual pressured to go voluntarily to Rwanda, which has caused severe trauma.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Leigh asks for clarification but does not provide detailed arguments or examples in the provided transcript snippet.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Acknowledges government's efforts in addressing concerns raised. Supports the European convention on human rights as a living document. Emphasises the importance of accountability to member states through various bodies such as Parliamentary Assembly, Congress, and Council of Ministers.
Questions whether it is helpful for the Prime Minister and others on his Benches to continually refer to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as a foreign court, suggesting this might not be accurate or constructive.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Supports the Bill but expresses concern about individuals who may evade detention and potentially disappear into communities if threatened with deportation to Rwanda, highlighting issues related to enforcement.
Urges Members to be precise in their language use and suggests limiting speeches to around seven minutes each to accommodate all Members within the remaining time of the debate.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Ms Johnson supports Lords amendments as they address practical issues such as airline availability, housing for migrants in Rwanda, and the need for proper age assessments. She emphasises the importance of legal challenge opportunities, safeguards for modern slavery victims, and protections for those who supported UK armed forces abroad. The speaker raises concerns about potential breaches of international law and lack of parliamentary scrutiny over treaty implementation.
Nigel Evans
Con
Accrington
Mr Nigel Evans briefly spoke about the House's schedule and reminded Members to tailor their speeches accordingly.
Ms Beth Winter supported Lords amendment 6B, arguing that it would restore decision makers’ ability to consider whether Rwanda is a safe country for asylum seekers. She highlighted the risk of refoulement in contravention of international obligations and expressed concern about the Bill's impact on checks and balances.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Supports Lords amendments for due regard to domestic and international laws, safety measures, and protection against modern slavery. Argues that the Bill is ineffective as a deterrent and undermines UK's obligations.
Blackley and Broughton
Condemns the Bill for undermining international law, human rights, and the rule of law. Supports amendments to restore judicial discretion in assessing Rwanda's safety on a case-by-case basis.
Claudia Webbe
Ind
West Ham
Supports amendment to remove blanket declaration that Rwanda is safe and seeks restoration of court jurisdiction. Argues that the Bill undermines human rights and international law, damaging UK's reputation.
Hayes and Harlington
Raises concerns about the effectiveness of the amendment, emphasising that asylum seekers will not be deterred by political stunts. Discusses the skills and contributions asylum seekers can bring to the UK, criticises the long waiting times for case processing, and calls for an immediate review of the scheme. Also highlights issues with age assessments and mental health impacts on children.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Intervened to support McDonnell's points, emphasising that asylum seekers are victims of war and human rights abuses who should be treated with humanitarian principles rather than as enemies.
Defends the Government’s position on the Bill, thanking Members for their contributions while expressing disagreement. Emphasises the need to disrupt the business model of people smugglers and invites MPs to support the amendment.
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