Debates between Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate and Viscount Hailsham during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Wed 24th May 2023
Illegal Migration Bill
Lords Chamber

Committee stage: Part 1

Illegal Migration Bill

Debate between Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate and Viscount Hailsham
Viscount Hailsham Portrait Viscount Hailsham (Con)
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My Lords, I have only a very brief intervention to make, but I want to speak to Amendment 4. I have two questions for the Minister which I think require serious clarification. First, do the Government accept that the Bill, if enacted, should be implemented in such a way as to comply with the convention rights that are itemised in Amendment 4? We are entitled to know what the thinking of the Government is. Do they intend that the Bill, if enacted, complies with convention rights?

The second question is contrariwise and actually is a suspicion. What is the purpose of the purpose test set out in Clause 1(2)? My suspicion is that the purpose test is designed to displace the convention rights if they come up against the Bill, if enacted. In other words, is the purpose test designed to override convention rights? I think this House is entitled to a very direct answer on both those questions.

For myself, let me make this absolutely plain to the Government. If Amendment 4 is put to a vote at any stage, I shall vote for it, because I believe that this Government and this country should comply with convention rights. If the purpose test is designed to override convention rights, I shall vote against it if given the chance.

Metropolitan Police: Misconduct

Debate between Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate and Viscount Hailsham
Wednesday 19th October 2022

(2 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate Portrait Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)
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My Lords, my noble friend has just rightly said that action should be taken. I think we all agree that those who transgress the high standards in public office should be dealt with and that lessons should be learned. However, is it not also right for us to acknowledge that the vast majority of serving police officers, men and women, serve this country with the highest levels of probity and public service, for which we should be enormously grateful?