UK Borders Bill

I am both surprised and gratified by what the Minister has said about the categories that are going to be treated preferentially in the roll-out because it does not conform with what is set out in the Explanatory Notes to the Bill. According to those notes, the determining factors will be those categories which present the greatest risk to immigration control, as well as whether the technology and resources are available for particular applicants. The categories the noble Lord has just mentioned—five-year residency, work permit renewals and spouses—are obviously not those representing the greatest risk to immigration control. This may indicate that perhaps there has been a reconsideration since the Explanatory Notes were written, which is all to the good. However, where the Government propose to depart substantially from their previous commitments—I believe that one can take the Explanatory Notes as being something of a commitment—it would be useful if they would keep those immediately concerned with these matters informed by saying that they no longer adhere to this text, but have adopted different procedures. I do not expect an answer from the Minister to my next point, but perhaps we can come back to it later. I am satisfied to a large extent with his undertaking that the chief inspector of the BIA will monitor the roll-out and ensure not only that it conforms with anti-discrimination legislation but also with the Data Protection Act. This will be fully covered in the remit of the chief inspector, and he or she will be able to report to Parliament from time to time on the management of the roll-out. Subject to those assurances, which I do not expect the Minister to give off the cuff in conclusion to this debate, I think that we have had some reasonably satisfactory answers.