UK Borders Bill

I beg the Chairman’s pardon; I thought that the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, had risen to speak. He may yet do so. Indeed, we may all have the opportunity to do so fairly shortly. The noble Lord, Lord Avebury, has been very helpful in tabling the amendments. We were certainly aware in our briefing meetings with all the organisations before the Bill was laid that Clause 19 was a matter of some concern. I hope that the amendment gives the Government the opportunity to clarify how they expect the process to work. I do not believe that the Government are trying to be difficult in preventing proper information coming forward, which would mean that there would be a satisfactory adjudication made in each case. I hope that the Minister will explain more clearly than we have seen in the Explanatory Notes why the Government have felt that it is appropriate and necessary to change the rules. We do not want to end up with a new system, which, by lack of clarity, means that there could be a longer procedure during appeals and more difficulties put in the way of appeals by those who feel that they are being badly treated. What exactly will be the time constraints within which evidence can be submitted? Why have the Government decided that they should no longer consider substantive evidence if it is available only after the original immigration application has been made?