Clause 29
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords]
5:45 pm
Phil Woolas (Minister of State (also in the Home Office), Home Office; Oldham East and Saddleworth, Labour)
There are a number of functions that Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary currently inspects, including customs detention facilities. The clause will enable the HMIC to carry on inspecting those functions. However, not all customs facilities are UKBA immigration and customs facilities; there are examples outside of those facilities. The explanatory notes do not go into detail on that issue, but that is the cover that we are trying to provide for ourselves.
For the record, I just want to point out that, as well as the exceptions for the Comptroller and Auditor General, there is the exception for any inspection or part of an inspection that is carried out in Scotland to be carried out jointly by HMIC and the Scottish inspectors.