Next Steps in Leaving the European Union

Madeleine Moon Excerpts

Monday 10th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

My right hon. Friend will of course always influence decisions in this House.

[Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State has said that he will provide some certainty and clarity. I have had an email from a general practitioner in my constituency saying that a lady who has lived there for over 40 years is having mental health problems as she is concerned about being deported. Parents have contacted me saying that their children are awake at night worried that they are about to lose their mother or their father who is an EU citizen.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

Reassure them.

[Mrs Moon]

It is absolutely imperative that we have some clarity. A glib individual on the Government Benches claims I should reassure them. I have done that, but they need reassurance from the Government, because I do not have such a power. May we at least have clarification that those who have lived in this country for over five years will have an automatic right to remain? They need it, and it is only right that citizens should have such clarity.

[Mr Davis]

I can give such people absolute clarity: that is the law. Being in Britain for more than five years means that they have indefinite leave to remain. Being in Britain for more than six years gives them the right to citizenship.