Clause 48 - Bail
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill
Public Bill Committees, 14 May 2002, 5:45 pm
Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 234, in page 26, line 22, leave out 'eight' and insert 'seven'.
This is a short probing amendment. The right of an applicant detained for further inquiries at a port under section 16(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 to apply to an adjudicator or immigration officer for bail under paragraph 22 of schedule 2 to that Act becomes effective after seven days. Why does clause 48 refer to eight days, which is a day longer than the more traditional period that applies in the earlier legislation and in the criminal justice system? No explanation for the increased period is apparent, other than administrative convenience. I should be grateful for an explanation.