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UK Borders Bill

I agree with the noble Lord on that point. The simple reason for residency restrictions is the need to maintain effective contact management, and they are one of a number of devices that we use to secure that. They are not intended to be applied to all limited leave cases, but it is invaluable for case managers and case owners to have the option of imposing residency restrictions. As I have said before, they will be imposed reasonably and appropriately. We have argued that they are needed in relation to child protection, and contact management is certainly valuable for enforcement reasons as well. How will the restrictions apply in practice? Obviously an assessment will be made of how contact can be best managed for individuals. We would need to know where most people intended to live and we would generally approve the addresses. In child protection cases, we might wish social services to conduct better and fuller checks on an address to establish its suitability, and further consideration might be appropriate following the intervention of social services. As I have argued before, where leave is coming to an end, the Border and Immigration Agency will, properly, want to be able to consider whether to extend it or pursue removal. In those cases, good contact is very important. I cannot agree with the assertion that imposing residency restrictions is contrary to our obligations under the refugee convention. That case has been made and upheld in case law. In any event, residency conditions would not only be applied to refugees. There is no policy intention to single out refugees and impose the conditions on them alone. The restrictions can be imposed on all those who do not have a right of abode but have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. It is lawful to impose such restrictions on refugees where the condition can be applied to all non-British residents, so we do not accept that assertion. I have dealt with the issue of travel costs and I think that I have picked up most of the other questions. However, if noble Lords want to raise other issues here or if they want me to respond in more depth, I shall be happy to write where I do not have the information to hand.