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UK Borders Bill

The noble Lord, Lord Dholakia, expresses some misgivings about telephone advice schemes. All I can report to the Committee is what has been found as part of the pilot, which has been a useful and constructive experience. There needs to be a period of reflection about how applicable it is and whether it can be rolled out more generally. I would have thought that someone being able to give quick advice on the end of a telephone was a most welcome development. If the individual felt somewhat vulnerable in an environment they did not well understand, at least they could understand the language and make use of the information and advice they were being given. The telephone advice scheme uses accredited immigration advisers and lawyers. They are not general criminal lawyers; they have to have some expertise that meets the standard we wish to set. In 1999, when we considered these matters, we were particularly concerned to deal with the problem of poor quality and bogus advice and information being given out, and it is right that we should strive at all times to raise the standard. The other point that the noble Lord made about lay visitors was interesting and I am happy to ask our advisers to give some general consideration to it.