- 27/04/2023
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: News
The House debated and voted on amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill in its report stage on Wednesday 26 April.
There were 6 votes.
New Clause 9 This new clause would add to the current law on provision of accommodation to asylum seekers a requirement to consult with the relevant local authorities when making the necessary arrangements.
Accommodation: duty to consult
(1) Section 97 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (supplemental) is amended as follows.
(2) After subsection (3A) insert—
(3B) When making arrangements for the provision of accommodation under section 95 or section 4 of this Act, the Secretary of State must consult with representatives of the local authority or local authorities, for the area in which the accommodation is located.
(3C) The duty to consult in subsection (3B) applies to accommodation including hotel accommodation, military sites, and sea vessels.
(3D) The duty to consult in subsection (3B) also applies to any third party provider operating within the terms of a contract with the Secretary of State.
I voted in favour of this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 233, Noes: 285.
New Clause 10 This new clause requires the Secretary of State to establish a process to fast-track asylum claims from specified countries.
Expedited asylum processing
(1) Within 60 days of this Act coming into force, the Secretary of State must issue regulations establishing an expedited asylum process for applicants from specified countries who have arrived in the UK without permission.
(2) Within this section, “specified countries” are defined as those countries or territories to which a person may be removed under the Schedule to this Act.
I voted in favour of this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 231, Noes: 290.
New Clause 15 This new clause places on the Secretary of State a duty to remove suspected terrorists who have entered the country illegally, or consider the imposition of TPIMs for such individuals where removal is not possible.
Border Security: Terrorism
(1) The Secretary of State must make arrangements for the removal of a person from the United Kingdom if the following conditions are met—
(a) the person meets the first condition in section 2 of this Act; and
(b) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the person has been involved in terrorism-related activity, as defined by section 4 of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011.
(2) If the Secretary of State cannot proceed with removal due to legal proceedings, they must consider the imposition of terrorism prevention and investigation measures in accordance with the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011.
(3) The Secretary of State must lay a report before this House on activity under this section every 90 days.
I voted in favour of this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 219, Noes: 284.
Amendment 45 This amendment and Amendment 44 would require the courts to interpret the Act, so far as possible, in accordance with the UK’s international obligations contained in several international treaties.
Amendment proposed: 45, page 2, line 28, leave out subsection (5) and insert—
(5) So far as it is possible to do so, provision made by or by virtue of this Act must be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with—
(a) the Convention rights,
(b) the Refugee Convention,
(c) the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking,
(d) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and
(e) the UN Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.
I voted in favour of this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 231, Noes: 290.
Amendment 2 This amendment would prevent an immigration officer’s detention powers from being used to detain unaccompanied children, families with dependant children or pregnant women.
Amendment proposed: 2, page 14, line 46, at end insert—
(2H) Sub-paragraphs (2C) to (2G) above do not apply to any person who—
(a) entered the United Kingdom as an unaccompanied child;
(b) has at least one dependant child; or
(c) is a pregnant woman.
I voted in favour of this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 231, Noes: 286.
Third Reading
That the Bill be now read the Third time.
I voted against this Motion, which was passed, Ayes: 289, Noes: 230.
The Bill will now move to its next stage in the process.