Oral Answers to Questions

Harriett Baldwin Excerpts

Monday 28th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Norman Baker]

We have created a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal and therefore my hon. Friend ought to report that matter to her local police. If it is a registered scrap metal dealer who holds a licence, the local authority will want to look into the matter.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

8. What steps she is taking to reduce illegal immigrants’ access to housing.

[The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper)]

The Immigration Bill will require private landlords to make some simple, straightforward checks so that illegal migrants do not have access to private housing. Existing legislation already makes it clear that illegal migrants do not have access to social housing.

[Harriett Baldwin]

Farmers in my constituency offer temporary housing to the seasonal agricultural workers who pick the delicious crops we grow in West Worcestershire. Will it be the farmers or the gangmasters who are required to verify their immigration status?

[Mr Harper]

If employers make available tied accommodation —meaning it is tied to their employment—they will not have to make further checks, because, as employers, they already have to check someone’s right to work in the United Kingdom, and we do not want to overburden them with bureaucracy.