UK Parliament / Open data

Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL]

I have already asked, at an earlier stage of the Committee, the question posed by UNISON, to which the Minister nodded his emphatic agreement. I assume, then, that the Government already agree to that which the noble Lord, Lord Lea of Crondall, asks for. However, I am standing up now because I so profoundly agree with the noble Lord, Lord Judd. Listening to the Minister’s summing up—activities would always be totally voluntary and nobody would be asked to do it unless they chose to—reminds me exactly of what the noble Lord was just saying about the "you, you and you" volunteers. To be realistic about it, if you are to become a citizen that much quicker, you will volunteer in order to become a citizen—not because you care about the volunteering. That seems to be the immediate answer to what the Minister said in trying to convince us that this system was genuinely voluntary. It is only voluntary in the sense that you do not have to do it, but there is a major imperative to get into the activities on those who may not have the slightest interest in voluntary service. I profoundly agree with the noble Lord, Lord Judd; this really needs a lot more thought, and I am by no means certain whether it is best placed in this Bill.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

708 c567-8 

Session

2008-09

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber
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