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Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL]

In a quick answer on the first point raised by the noble Baroness, it is a direct lift so that is covered. The effect of this amendment to Clause 26 would be that the independent chief inspector would only have an oversight role in respect of those immigration, asylum and nationality functions which were exercised by the Border and Immigration Agency. The intention underpinning Clause 26, however, is that the chief inspector should have oversight of the full range of functions to be exercised by the agency, including customs functions for which the agency will have the prime responsibility at the border. The UK Border Agency was established in shadow form in April 2008 and as a result the Border and Immigration Agency no longer exists. That being so, the independent external scrutiny provided by the chief inspector needs to cover all the functions of the UK Border Agency. I hope that covers the noble Baroness’s points and that she will agree to withdraw the amendment.