Oral Answers to Questions

David Evennett Excerpts

Monday 21st May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con)]

7. If she will bring forward proposals to amend the immigration rules to prevent misuse of article 8 of the European convention on human rights.

[Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

20. If she will bring forward proposals to amend the immigration rules to prevent misuse of article 8 of the European convention on human rights.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

By this summer, we will have in place new immigration rules, which will help to end abuse of article 8. The Government are considering responses to the public consultation on changes to the family migration rules carried out last year, and expect to announce the results shortly. This will include changes relating to article 8.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mrs May]

As my hon. Friend knows, we are making a number of efforts to ensure that the operation of the European convention in relation to the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom courts is as we believe it should be. That does indeed entail the decisions made at the Brighton conference concerning changes in the operation of the European Court of Human Rights. It also involves what we are doing to clarify the fact that article 8 is a qualified right and not an absolute right.

[Mr Evennett]

There is real concern in my constituency about appeals being lodged under article 8 allowing people to remain in the UK longer without leave to remain. Does my right hon. Friend agree that changes in article 8 will complement the Government’s changes to the family route of settlement policy, and will prevent further abuse of the system?