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Violent Crime Reduction Bill

I am sure I am not alone in being disappointed that the Statement made by the Home Secretary in another place has not been repeated here. It is appropriate to say just a few words about the appalling scandal revealed in the papers today, if only because we are now invited to discuss in Committee a Bill the title of which suggests that the Government are acting to reduce violent crime. It is quite ridiculous to suggest that the appalling scandal revealed in the papers is merely a failure on the part of officials to identify and consider for removal foreign criminals reaching the end of their sentences. Murderers, rapists, paedophiles, drug importers and other dangerous and violent offenders are on our streets because of the virtual abandonment of immigration control by this Government. That has resulted in hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants entering Britain, which in turn has resulted in a staggering increase in the number of foreign nationals in our gaols. If this is not a resignation matter, will the Minister please tell us in what circumstances the Home Secretary would think it right to resign?