Clause 40
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords]
Public Bill Committees, 11 June 2009, 1:30 pm
Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington, Liberal Democrat)
Thank you, Sir Nicholas. Consider reference to any amendment numbers expunged from the record. I would hate not to give the Minister an opportunity to read out the note that his officials have helpfully provided him with on what I shall not call amendments, but points of debate.
I hope that the Minister will be able to provide some reassurances, because the changes proposed in the clause will have substantial impacts on some of the most vulnerable people seeking citizenship. It could impose severe penalties on them, in a way that hopefully the Minister accepts is not appropriate for people who soon will be—we hope—citizens of the United Kingdom and wishing to make a substantial contribution. We should want to welcome them as part of that process.