Let me try to put this on a rational basis. That is not the purpose of the BID. The BID is designed to make clear someone's immigration status; it is not there to deny them a service. As I have already explained, it may be that in using those services they, quite properly, have to be charged for them. Then there is the issue of whether an individual is in a position to pay. No health care should be denied to people who are in need of it. That is the position. The BID is an immigration document that relates to their status here, their permission to stay in this country. It has been broadly welcomed, not least by many employers who wish to be absolutely clear and certain that they are not committing offences. That is the purpose of a BID. That is it.
UK Borders Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Lord Bassam of Brighton
(Labour)
in the House of Lords on Thursday, 5 July 2007.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee proceeding on UK Borders Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
Reference
693 c141GC Session
2006-07Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand CommitteeSubjects
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