Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Uppal Excerpts
Monday 15th October 2012

(12 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Paul Uppal Portrait Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con)
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1. What recent progress her Department has made in tackling abuses in immigration via the family route.

Mark Harper Portrait The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper)
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Before I answer the question, Mr Speaker, on behalf of Members on both sides of the House, I would like to add to your tribute to Malcolm Wicks and Sir Stuart Bell. Your sentiments were very well aimed, and I am sure that all Members will support them. These were valued colleagues who will be sorely missed.

The Government implemented new family immigration rules on 9 July this year. These tackle the abuse of immigration based on sham marriages, ensure that family migrants do not become a burden on the taxpayer and promote the integration of family migrants in British society.

Paul Uppal Portrait Paul Uppal
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May I also support the sentiments expressed by the Minister? I know that Malcolm Wicks was a fellow Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, so he was a man who always spoke incredible common sense.

On this particular issue, many of my constituents in Wolverhampton South West express concerns about the robustness of the current entry and clearance system that operates in India. Will the Minister assure me, the House and my constituents that that system is still robust and fair and will meet the high expectations that people have of it?