Member

Let me turn briefly to Amendment 273PB. If I am wholly candid, I do not think that the Minister gave a satisfactory answer. The amendment deals with a very important issue of defending the border integrity, safety and security of the British people. The amendment seeks to put on a statutory basis the imperative of using those powers, and names the agencies—I am not saying that it is an exhaustive list—such as the National Crime Agency and HM Coastguard. The Minister’s laissez-faire approach is that these powers are available but we may or may not use them. The Minister needs to think more thoroughly, if I may say so, about how the Bill fits into the coherent and comprehensive approach to immigration that Ministers are trying to engender in border policy and security. It is a vital area. I hope that, on Report, if I can be so bold, we will have a slightly more comprehensive and helpful reply.