- 29/03/2023
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: News
The House voted on further amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill for the second day on 28 March 2023.
There were 5 votes.
Amendment 189
Amendment proposed: 189, page 2, line 33, at end insert—
(1A) This section does not apply to a person (“A”) who is an Afghan national where there is a real risk of persecution or serious harm to A if returned to that country.
I voted in favour of this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 242, Noes: 309.
Clause 11 stand part Power of Detention – This amendment makes it clear that, if a person may be detained under the new powers in the Bill, they may no longer be detained under paragraph 16(3) or (4) of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971.
I voted against this Motion, which was passed, Ayes: 302, Noes: 242.
Amendment 288 This amendment seeks to remove the Bill’s restrictions on the provision of modern slavery support to those subject to the provisions in clause 2.
I voted for this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 248, Noes: 299.
New Clause 21 This new clause would give the National Crime Agency a legal responsibility for tackling organised immigration crime across the Channel, and to maintain a specific unit to undertake work related to that responsibility.
Organised immigration crime enforcement
(1) The Crime and Courts Act 2013 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 1 after subsection (10) insert—
‘(11) The NCA has a specific function to combat organised crime, where the purpose of that crime is to enable the illegal entry of a person into the United Kingdom via the English Channel.
(12) The NCA must maintain a unit (a “Cross-Border People Smuggling Unit”) to coordinate the work undertaken in cooperation with international partners in pursuit of the function mentioned in subsection (11).
I voted for this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 249, Noes: 301.
New Clause 27 This new clause would add to the current law on provision of accommodation to asylum seekers a requirement to consult with the relevant local authorities when making the necessary arrangements.
Accommodation: Duty to Consult
(1) Section 97 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (supplemental) is amended as follows.
(2) After subsection (3A) insert—
(3B) When making arrangements for the provision of accommodation under section 95 or section 4 of this Act, the Secretary of State must consult with representatives of the local authority or local authorities, for the area in which the accommodation is located.
(3C) The duty to consult in subsection (3B) also applies to any third party provider operating within the terms of a contract with the Secretary of State.
I voted for this Motion, which was not passed, Ayes: 248, Noes: 301.
The Bill will now move to its next stage in the process.