Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill

I do not disbelieve what the Minister says. She is absolutely right about the need for quality of the highest order and transparency of the procedures. However, the noble Baronesses, Lady Carnegy and Lady Sharp, and the noble Earl, Lord Sandwich, gave example after example. That clearly demonstrates that the changes proposed do not seem to be filtering out to people taking decisions, either at British posts abroad or in the IND in this country. I am in the privileged position of having followed the Commonwealth Immigrants Act since 1962, when it was first established, and I can give example after example. One does not have to go far for them; one can go to the Immigration Advisory Service and have a word with Keith Best, or talk to the Refugee Council or the Medical Foundation. But I can give personal examples. When I sit as a magistrate in court, people listen to what I have to say; but if you tried to tell the same story to the immigration officer, they would not believe you. The point that we are coming to is that, if you look at the investigation that was carried out as early as 1980 by the Commission for Racial Equality on the immigration control procedures, and if you look at the situation now, the examples cited now are exactly the same as we talked about in those days. There is a need for a culture change, which is why we have tabled this amendment. That culture change will come about only when there is a lead at the top in terms of being positive about immigration, and the contribution that people make. More importantly, it is worth bearing in mind the extent to which large numbers of people make a positive contribution in this country that is negated by the way in which politicians handle matters of immigration and asylum. I have a lot of sympathy with the way in which other Members of the Committee have given example after example. I hope that the Minister is right, and I hope that I can take her at her word that there will be that culture of change over that period of time, so we have a better operated system and a civilised way in which to deal with these issues.