Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Humfrey Malins (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 10 October 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum Seekers

Question: Does the Minister accept that the offence of illegal employment is widespread and has increased dramatically over the past eight years under the Labour Government? They have sat back and watched the problem of illegal employment growing and chosen not to enforce the existing law, with only a handful of convictions in the past eight years. In view of the Government's poor track record in that respect, how can we have any confidence in either the Minister's desire or his ability to enforce the new criminal penalty set out in clause 17 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill?

Answer: That is a rather sad broken record. I hope that the hon. Gentleman's contributions will improve in the Committee on the Bill. A robust intellectual debate is needed on immigration and asylum policy. I hope that, like his hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (John Bercow), the hon. Gentleman will participate in that debate, rather than constantly throw out such drivel. As for his point on section 8, yes, of course it has not been terribly successful, in part because of the cumbersome nature in legal terms of the criminal dimension. It is right and proper that we, as a listening and responsive Government, review that provision and establish through the new Bill a civil penalty regime, which we think will address the problem. Make no mistake, we will deal promptly with illegal working. If the hon. Gentleman wants a serious debate, he should come and join us.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 437 c16
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Asylum Seekers
Monday, 10 October 2005
Oral questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Employment Undocumented migrants Asylum Gangmasters