Before we go any further, perhaps I could recall for the Committee’s benefit that these issues were debated in considerable depth on the previous occasion—namely, when we had long discussions on the previous asylum and immigration Bill, now in force. Of course I welcome the Government’s amendment in this group introducing a code of practice. However, as has been said already, it does not go far enough—because having regard is only a halfway step. I welcome also the involvement in these issues of the Children’s Commissioner. But that in itself, though very good, is insufficient. The commissioner can raise issues of policy but, with his limited staff, he cannot possibly be expected to oversee the implementation all around the country by a whole range of government staff of one kind or another. That is why we need a statutory responsibility to safeguard children and we need best practice everywhere.
Of course, I draw some encouragement from what the Minister said in reply, and I shall study and look at it carefully and analytically. But I doubt that I shall be fully satisfied. I say that because of the extraordinarily vulnerable nature of some of the children whom we discussing, such as trafficked children and unaccompanied children, whether or not they are seeking refugee status. ECPAT, the campaign to end prostitution and pornography, is strongly in favour of Amendment No. 13. Parents and adults may commit all kinds of crimes or immigration offences but it is very rare for children to do so, and I believe that they need special consideration.
UK Borders Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
in the House of Lords on Monday, 2 July 2007.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee proceeding on UK Borders Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
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2006-07Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand CommitteeSubjects
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