Member

I will discuss my amendments in turn. Amendment 1 seeks to remove the time limit and make it discretionary for the Secretary of State to make a change in the rules. That must be right, because it is for the Secretary of State to judge when it is appropriate to expand the numbers of people who might be admitted by this route. This is a recognition of the need for flexibility in responding to the complexities of implementing changes to the Immigration Rules. Arbitrary deadlines risk rushing decisions without fully understanding their consequences. By making this provision permissive, the Government can ensure that changes are introduced in a thoughtful and measured manner, considering the ever-changing pressures on the immigration system.