Clause 2
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords]
11:30 am
Phil Woolas (Minister of State (also in the Home Office), Home Office; Oldham East and Saddleworth, Labour)
I agree with the hon. Gentleman’s intent. It is important to clarify Parliament’s intent because otherwise it is left to courts and tribunals to do so, but let me reassure him.
The clause and the explanatory notes describe the powers being transferred, which can be used only by affirmative order of the House. Therefore, the purpose of the hon. Gentleman’s amendment—that Ministers would have to justify such use—is already met. My argument against the annual report is not that it is not desirable for accountability—he is absolutely right that the existence of such a report would get the Minister to consider that—but that that is already the case because of the affirmative resolution requirement. With that reassurance, I hope that he will not press his amendment.