UK Border Agency Debate

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Department: Home Office

UK Border Agency

Lord Dholakia Excerpts
Monday 7th November 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, obviously, lessons are always to be learnt from all around the world. No doubt, if the noble Lord wishes it, we will look at the experience of the Israelis as well as that from other parts.

Lord Dholakia Portrait Lord Dholakia
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My Lords, one of the allegations made by the Home Affairs Select Committee was that at least 125,000 people have been lost in this country and can no longer be traced. There is no indication of what will happen to them. Would it not be wise to extend the scope of the inquiry to see why those illegal entrants are still in this country?

Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, I think that the noble Lord is trying to take the inquiry on to other, equally important matters which should be looked at. We want John Vine to be able to report by January of next year. Therefore, he should focus on the issues in front of us—that is, why officials were going beyond what was authorised by Ministers, and what Ministers authorised.