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Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill

This group of amendments includes Amendment No. 43, which we support. The Government talk of a ““fairer, faster, firmer”” system for immigration. To avoid any delay, it seems that it is right to look briefly at the purpose of this amendment. It would make explicit in the statute that written reasons for a decision on a notice of objection. We see no reason why that could not be done. An employer can submit a notice of objection to a penalty. Under Clause 16(5)(b) the Secretary of State must inform the employer of the decision on the notice of objection and if the employer is not satisfied with it, he is likely to proceed to an appeal in accordance with the provisions set out in Clause 17. The employer will have set out his case in the notice of objection. To narrow and best define the issues at appeal, and in appropriate cases to avoid the employer going to appeal altogether, it is sensible that the Secretary of State should set out his case in the decision on the notice of objection. Therefore the amendment appears wholly unobjectionable. I hope that the Minister will feel able to accept this amendment.