Member

I very much doubt that the Government will accept this amendment but it is time, I suggest, for them to give us some clue as to the direction of travel, so I ask the Minister this. First, can he rule out any amendment to the Human Rights Act? Secondly, can he rule out any short-term changes to the ECHR? In which case, all that appears to be left is some form of guidance to be given to judges, or decision-makers at a lower level, as to the correct approach to asylum claims. It is absolutely correct for the Government to emphasise, as they have done in a number of contexts, the importance of judicial independence, so I am troubled by the prospect of the Government telling judges how to approach these cases. What they really want to tell them is to be less indulgent to rather doubtful claims under Article 8 and perhaps even under Article 3. Putting this into an acceptable or useful format will prove challenging. Nevertheless, I suggest that the Minister owes it to this House to explain at least in general terms what is planned.