Clause 39
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords]
9:15 am
Damian Green (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Ashford, Conservative)
I am grateful to the Minister for making that clear at this stage. He will be aware of the controversy to which I have just referred and that many people observing the debate will have had some hope restored. It goes without saying, of course, that we have not yet seen the details of the Government’s proposals. Clearly, everyone involved will reserve their position until they know what the Government are proposing. I am grateful that he has accepted the logic of his own position. I confess that I was slightly bemused when I saw that the Government’s amendment had been tabled, because on Second Reading he said:
“The hon. Member for Ashford fairly raised a point relating to the highly skilled migrants scheme; I concede that point, the court has ruled, and we will of course obey.”—[Official Report, 2 June 2009; Vol. 493, c. 236.]
Having heard those welcome words on Second Reading, as I say, I was surprised that the Minister had taken the action he had.