Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 1st November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab)]

On the subject of reforms to the immigration system and the particular point of deportation, the death of Jimmy Mubenga a few weeks ago was the first time that an escorted individual has died during deportation. My right hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) has twice requested a briefing from the Home Secretary regarding the circumstances of that case, and both requests have been refused. Will the Minister now make a statement to the House, updating Members on the progress of any internal investigation into Mr Mubenga’s death and the use of restraint during enforced deportation more generally? In particular, will he state whether the use of restraint on children during deportation is also being reviewed?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. In less than a minute, if the Minister is going to do it now.

[Damian Green]

I welcome the hon. Lady to the Front Bench and congratulate her on her very rapid promotion. May I repeat what I said to the right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz)? There is a police investigation going on at the moment. It would clearly be inappropriate for me or my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to give any details about this case while the police investigation is going on. I am surprised that the shadow Home Secretary asked the hon. Lady to do that while a police investigation was going on.

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[Nick Herbert]

The previous Government would not give any guarantee on police officer numbers. Indeed, in many forces police officer numbers were already falling when this Government came to power. The test is about what those police officers are doing, and whether they are visible and available to the public. We will accept no lectures from the Opposition, who have put this country in the position of having to cut police officer funding. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am not quite sure what Members had for either breakfast or lunch, but I think I had better steer clear of both.

[Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con)]

6. When she plans to publish her proposals to amend the Licensing Act 2003.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I hope that the Under-Secretary recovers her voice before very long. We wish her better.

[Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab)]

T4. Does the Home Secretary agree with the views of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on control orders? Having now had five months in office, does she accept that those of us who exercised such powers on behalf of the Home Office when we were in government did so because we tried to secure the safety of the British people, and we were, indeed, right to do so?

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[Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con)]

Is the Minister aware that a pioneering partnership between North Yorkshire police and the local community in Sherburn in Elmet in my constituency has seen the public inquiry desk at the village police station reopen? The desk is manned completely by volunteers. Does he agree that this is a great example of the big society in action? Will he join me in congratulating the local volunteers and North Yorkshire police—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We are all very grateful to the hon. Gentleman.