There is a calumny in the Bill. It states that people can be held for three hours before a police officer comes. Actually, it is the other way around: the police officer is there, and cannot summon the immigration official. That is happening, and I have documented it. The Minister shakes his head, but I will put the letter that I sent to him in the Library, and he can see for himself. The fact is that the Essex and Kent police forces—[Interruption.] I am addressing the House of Commons, if the Minister does not mind. This is a very serious point, and the Minister does not listen to some of our hon. Friends who are in the front line. When Essex and Kent police officers apprehend people, they are instructed to give them a card saying, ““Go to Lunar house, Croydon””. When the Essex, Kent and Port of Tilbury police contact the immigration officials, they say ““Set them free””. That is documented. I have sent a letter to the Minister, and I will put it in the Library this afternoon.
UK Borders Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
in the House of Commons on Monday, 5 February 2007.
It occurred during Debate on bills on UK Borders Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
Reference
456 c609 Session
2006-07Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamberSubjects
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