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Simon Hughes MPRepresenting Southwark and Bermondsey since 1983 |
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LIB DEMS FORCE U-TURN ON IMMIGRATION RULES
May 13, 2008 12:00 AM
The Liberal Democrats today forced the government into a U-turn on immigration rules that would have meant automatic penalties for anyone making even an honest mistake on an immigration application.
In a debate in the Commons forced by the Liberal Democrats on the new immigration rules, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne conceded that the automatic penalty of being prevented for between one and ten years from re-applying for entry would be waived in the case of families and those under 18 when the error was made.
Mr Byrne had been told by Chris Huhne, Simon Hughes and his own backbenchers that the rules would cause injustice and hardship, and would cause many who suffered to fight through the courts for a fair decision so it would not even save official time.
Liberal Democrat shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne welcomed the changes announced by the minister, but said that it would have been better had they been made during a consultation and before they entered into force. "These changes were rushed through in haste and repented at leisure.
"The absurd rules would have meant penalties for children who had been kidnapped by child traffickers, and would have ignored family circumstances in depriving children of a parent. The renewed element of discretion is essential" said Chris Huhne.
Simon Hughes MP, the President of the Liberal Democrats, who first highlighted the potential problems, said: "The minister has promised to reintroduce discretion in key areas where automatic penalties would have been ridiculous. This is game, set and match for Liberal Democrat teamwork in the Lords and the Commons."
In a previous debate in the Lords, Lib Dem Lord Avebury had forced the Government to delay the introduction of the new rules until October.
ENDS
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