Oral Answers to Questions

David Morris Excerpts

Monday 12th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call David Morris.

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker, but I believe that my question 21 has already been answered.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman is in danger of setting a trend. If others followed it, our proceedings would conclude more speedily. I am grateful to him for his self-denial.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mrs May]

I found it difficult to find in the hon. Gentleman’s question something relating to the Home Office. I understand the question that he raised, and I understand that the individual in question has apologised.

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

T9. I welcome plans to set up a professional body for policing. Does my right hon. Friend agree that such a body would be an ideal opportunity to promote the importance of high-quality training, which is very much in the interests of our police officers?

[Nick Herbert]

I agree with my hon. Friend. We have an important opportunity now to set up a professional body for policing to focus on the need to provide high-quality training for police officers and to set standards. I am grateful to the senior police leadership for engaging in our work to discuss the issue. We will be bringing proposals before the House.

Oral Answers to Questions

David Morris Excerpts

Monday 7th November 2011 Commons Chamber

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

1. What steps she is taking to strengthen the accreditation regime for colleges that admit foreign students.

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

9. What steps she is taking to strengthen the accreditation regime for colleges that admit foreign students.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

16. What steps she is taking to strengthen the accreditation regime for colleges that admit foreign students.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mrs May]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and what I have announced today is just the start. All private colleges will have to go through that rigorous accreditation system by the end of the year and those that fail the system will no longer be able to bring in international students.

[David Morris]

I am pleased to hear that the Government are successfully shutting off immigration through bogus colleges with the accreditation scheme, and I was glad to hear the answer to the previous question.

[Mrs May]

My hon. Friend has mentioned the accreditation scheme for colleges, but of course we are going further in taking action against individual students as well as restricting their rights. We have introduced new rules on English language and we have restricted students’ rights to work and to bring in family members. Next April we will close the post-study work route that has allowed graduates two years’ free access to the labour market here in the UK. We want to make sure that those who come to study are coming genuinely to study and not to work.

Oral Answers to Questions

David Morris Excerpts

Monday 12th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

3. What recent progress she has made in tackling bogus colleges.

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

Since May 2010, the UK Border Agency has revoked the sponsor licence of 69 institutions. Our recent reforms of the student route include the introduction of new oversight provisions and a requirement for all sponsors to become highly trusted.

[David Morris]

In addition to the Government’s new reforms of the student route, what enforcement action have the Government taken to tackle abuse in the student visa system?

[Mrs May]

The UK Border Agency has been active in relation to the new rules that have been introduced and is looking at a number of colleges. In addition to the licences of 69 colleges and education providers being revoked, the total number whose licences have been suspended—of which that 69 forms part—is 145. We take very seriously the need to monitor the obligations that we have set out.

Oral Answers to Questions

David Morris Excerpts

Monday 6th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Nick Herbert]

We share the hon. Lady’s support for PCSOs, which we believe are an important part of the policing family. We are determined that police forces should make efficiencies and savings, and that the front line of policing will be protected.

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

T9. May I ask my hon. Friend the Minister to look into the case of one of my constituents, who is apparently being deported for working for too many hours in a part-time job and losing her working visa in this country?

[Damian Green]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. He will understand that I cannot comment on the case on the Floor of the House, but if he wishes to write to me, I will of course look into it and get back to him as soon as possible.