Engagements

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons am 11:30 am ar 6 Ebrill 2005.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Tony Blair Tony Blair Prime Minister 11:30, 6 Ebrill 2005

I will tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman about the immigration and asylum system that we inherited. We inherited a situation where, when he was Home Secretary, it took 20 months to process an asylum claim and the number of removals was one in 10. Yes, it is true that we need to control immigration, but the way to do it is not his proposal of halving the immigration budget. Yes, immigration is an issue. Yes, it is important that we discuss it, but it is an issue that should be dealt with, not exploited.