UK Borders Bill

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, for raising this matter. It is important that we hear from the Minister before the end of Committee stage what the Government’s position is on consolidation. The noble Lord is right: I raised the matter at Second Reading and asked questions about when such a measure would be forthcoming, but answer came there none. We know that the Government have put out a simplification consultation paper—or, at least, the consultation paper is called ““simplification””. In discussing this matter with my noble friend Lord Cope, I noted, like the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, that the Government’s so-called Queen’s Speech did not appear to refer to the consolidation Bill that had been promised for 2008. It is important that we know the status of that. My noble friend Lord Cope took the opportunity to give me a little tutorship about what comprises a consolidation Bill, as opposed to a new Bill. He set me on the right course, but I have a lot to learn on that. The way the Government have issued their simplification consultation makes it look as though the forthcoming Bill would not technically be a consolidation Bill. It would be helpful to know the Government’s position.