UK Parliament / Open data

UK Borders Bill

I was very grateful for what the noble Lord said about the position in relation to the Scottish Executive. It was not exactly the same as my information, but doubtless I was informed wrongly that the Executive intended to legislation themselves. From what the Minister said, the Executive think that their existing arrangements are adequate and that they do not require designated immigration officers. That means that, in effect, Clauses 1 to 4 will not always apply to England because people will be able to cross the Border unless it is policed in a way that it could not possibly be: to keep people coming from Scotland into England. Anyone who knows that Border knows that crossing it is easy; the grouse do it. It would be worth the Government keeping in touch with the Scottish Executive now, as the Minister said his department would. They may have changed their minds. This is a UK Borders Bill but whether that is the right name for the Bill, because of Clauses 1 to 4, I am not sure. I have not been into this in great depth, but I talked to one or two people and got slightly different information, so I realise that that was incorrect. I see from those behind the Minister, who are nodding, that I am right in thinking that there is an intention to do nothing.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

693 c49GC 

Session

2006-07

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords Grand Committee
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