UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership Arrangement

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Monday 25th April 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My noble friend is right on two counts. First, the provision is in long-standing legislation dating from 1999, 2002 and 2004. Under the Bill, the certification process would not be needed, so essentially the policy could proceed with or without the legislation.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, the Minister has said that some people will find ways and means to make this agreement justiciable. Under our dual system in our constitution, any agreement made by government has to be underpinned by domestic legislation. If this is to be a binding agreement, as the Minister said at the Dispatch Box, it will require ratification by Parliament. How will this agreement be ratified?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

It is a memorandum of understanding, as opposed to a treaty, which has been the subject of debate today.