Clause 21
UK Borders Bill
2:30 pm
Joan Ryan (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Enfield North, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman’s assumption is correct. The purpose of the clause is to give the courts extended powers so that property can be forfeited to the Secretary of State and immigration officers acting on behalf of the Secretary of State. At the moment, forfeiture is to the police rather than to the Secretary of State. The purpose of the clause is, therefore, exactly as he outlines.