UK Borders Bill

My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend will agree that I am not being mischievous in suggesting that what he said at the end of his remarks is almost a rerun of what he said in July. It distresses me that as this problem accumulates, with people suffering in the midst of it, we cannot gear ourselves up to more effective and urgent action. We will not get that until there is a target date for ratification, which would bring discipline to those officials involved in the inter-departmental discussions to make the plans and conclude them. I therefore urge my noble friend to persuade his colleagues to bring forward a target date as soon as possible. I have listened to my noble friend's reply. He will know that I am not elated by it. I shall go away to think about it very carefully but, at this stage, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 33 [Exceptions]: