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Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2008

Once again I thank the Minister for introducing the regulations. I say from the outset that we support the principle behind making reasonable charges for people who wish to come to this country and for those firms that want to employ migrants, and that they should be licensed to do so. Therefore, we have no difficulty with the regulations. However, I have one or two questions. In general, the level of fees is intended to exceed the cost of Administration, but I think it is acknowledged that there will be an element of subsidy for applications that will be charged at below the administrative cost. Could the Minister tell us which applications will not have their administrative costs covered? I think he said that it applied to tiers 3 and 4, but I should like that to be confirmed. Is it anticipated that these fees will generate the £100 million suggested in the accompanying notes, and will that be total income or profit? What are the administrative costs alone likely to be? How long will the costs be set for? Are they annual costs or will they apply for longer that that? If they are to be increased, will that matter come back to the House? Have the Government any estimate of the number of applications that it is anticipated will be made under tiers 1 and 2? Is the Minister confident that the UK Border Agency has the expertise and resources, both human and financial, to deal with these expeditiously so that people will not be kept waiting? As I say, I have no objection to the regulations.