New Clause 16

Part of UK Borders Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 5:00 pm ar 20 Mawrth 2007.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Liam Byrne Liam Byrne Minister of State (Home Office) (Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality) 5:00, 20 Mawrth 2007

We have had to rely on members of the official Opposition for the most forensic analysis of the proposals this afternoon. The hon. Member for Ashford is right that further debates are scheduled about the precise charges proposed for next year. I live in hope that that forensic analysis is yet to come.

The hon. Gentleman made two important points, one about the degree of flexibility and the second wanting me to estimate the kinds of moneys that I might have in mind for the next financial year. We are putting forward no proposals for individual-specific pricing, although that is an interesting idea, which may warrant a bit more explanation. I am not sure that we would quite have that latitude within the provisions of new clause 16. More important, on the question of the amount of money that might be raised, when we published our enforcement strategy a week or two ago, I was optimistic that we might raise up to an extra £100 million through the measures in the next financial year. That is important because it means that we will be able to fund extra detention space and immigration officers and to strengthen our systems of immigration and of immigration policing. There are of course volume risks, but those are conservative assumptions. With that, I recommend the clause to the Committee.