Clause 7 - Failed asylum seekers: withdrawal of support
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill
9:30 am
Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester, Liberal Democrat)
I support the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for Woking. The point was well made about the need to ensure that the certificate is handed to the individual concerned. That is important. The hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart explained clearly why that could be difficult, particularly because trying to gain entry to some tower blocks is complex. It is
critical that this measure is accurately administered, and that there is a sign-off when somebody has received the certificate, so that there is an assurance that they have got it.
I commend to the Committee and the Minister our suggestion that a copy of that certificate go to a nominated representative. It is not inconsistent with the Conservative amendment and runs alongside a system of registering and ensuring that the individual's certificate has gone to them. That may lead to work being duplicated, but on such sensitive matters it would be worth putting in place the safeguard that another copy has gone to somebody who is in contact with the asylum seeker, particularly if there are language or interpretation issues around what the certificate means. It would be helpful if we made sure that a representative had a copy.
Can the Minister comment on the merit not only of the suggestions about the certificate, but of having a similar system in place for the letters and, in particular, the opportunity and offer of an interview? That is important, as the Government will interpret a failure to respond to the letter or to the interview as non-co-operation. What sometimes could seem to be non- co-operation could be a failure to receive the letter or the request for the interview. The argument in respect of the certificate is well made, but the case for a similar system for other parts of the process that lead up to the certificate is also important.