Adjournment debate on Wednesday, 17 March 2010, in the House of Commons, led by Martin Salter. The answering member was Phil Woolas.

Migrant Domestic Workers (Visas)

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on migrant domestic workers.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 507 c251-73WH
Session: 2009-10
Department: Home Office
Chamber / Committee: Westminster Hall
Proceeding contributions: Anthony Steen | 507 c260WH (Link to this contribution) We always stand in awe when my hon. Friend makes such suggestions. He is perfectly right to say that...; William Cash | 507 c260WH (Link to this contribution) Does my hon. Friend agree that much of the attitude that lies behind the behaviour of the diplomatic...; William Cash | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) Is there perhaps another remedy? Diplomats found to be engaged in activities against the state—infri...; Anthony Steen | 507 c260-1WH (Link to this contribution) That is also a tribute to the influence and luck of the hon. Gentleman in managing to persuade the S...; Martin Salter | 507 c260WH (Link to this contribution) It was remiss of me not to refer to the process by which we are all here. Would the hon. Gentleman p...; Anthony Steen | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) But the problem is that the domestic is linked to the diplomat's visa, so if the diplomat is sent ho...; William Cash | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) It was the diplomat I was intending to deport, not the domestic servant.; Anthony Steen | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) That is a perfectly good idea, but where does it leave the domestic? Do they go back with the shamed...; Anthony Steen | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) The problem with what my hon. Friend suggests is that it will bring into the equation all the paraph...; William Cash | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) At the risk of engaging in a full debate on the issue, I believe that it is possible in such circums...; Anthony Steen | 507 c261-2WH (Link to this contribution) That is right, of course, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. I am trying to find a...; Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown | 507 c261WH (Link to this contribution) Surely what the hon. Gentleman suggests would deal with the symptom rather than the problem. The pro...; Phil Woolas | 507 c262WH (Link to this contribution) May I just inform the debate that in a significant number of circumstances, domestic staff in missio...; Anthony Steen | 507 c262-3WH (Link to this contribution) This is developing into a most interesting discussion, and all the points are valid. I am grateful t...; William Cash | 507 c263WH (Link to this contribution) I am on the European Scrutiny Committee with my hon. Friend, and have been for many years. He, too, ...; Anthony Steen | 507 c263WH (Link to this contribution) I was just about to sit down, but I am glad I did not, because my hon. Friend's response was kind an...; Martin Salter | 507 c263WH (Link to this contribution) I have given a full and deserved tribute to the hon. Member for Totnes for the excellent work he has...; Anthony Steen | 507 c263-4WH (Link to this contribution) May I thank the hon. Gentleman for his offer? I am most touched. The problem can be dealt with. It ...; Damian Green | 507 c267WH (Link to this contribution) I will make a point about the rule of law applying to everyone, which has been brought home to me by...; John Hemming | 507 c264WH (Link to this contribution) That is true, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. People will be here for more than...; Martin Salter | 507 c264WH (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman highlights the statistics eloquently. About 200 to 300 visas are issued, and abou...; John Hemming | 507 c264WH (Link to this contribution) I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) on securing this Adjournment ...; Martin Salter | 507 c266-7WH (Link to this contribution) I did not hold back in my criticism of abuse by diplomats, but the nub of the problem that led to th...; Damian Green | 507 c266WH (Link to this contribution) May I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) on securing this debate a...; John Hemming | 507 c264-5WH (Link to this contribution) And their families. Those people are willing to, and do, take the risk of a sanction against them. W...; Martin Salter | 507 c264WH (Link to this contribution) And their families.; Damian Green | 507 c268WH (Link to this contribution) That is certainly one of the challenges that must be resolved, but there are others, including the p...; John Hemming | 507 c268WH (Link to this contribution) Is there not clear evidence of bonded, indentured employment? That is the challenge that must be res...; Damian Green | 507 c268WH (Link to this contribution) I am glad to have the support of the Minister on that, but he will be well aware that purity in purs...; Phil Woolas | 507 c268WH (Link to this contribution) Hear, hear.; Damian Green | 507 c268WH (Link to this contribution) I will come to that. The hon. Gentleman said that he was trying to tie down the present and future G...; Martin Salter | 507 c267-8WH (Link to this contribution) I hesitate to criticise a fellow Reading football club fan, and I know that the hon. Gentleman is su...; Damian Green | 507 c268-9WH (Link to this contribution) The Minister surprisingly mentions Gurkhas from a sedentary position. If I were him, I would not bri...; Phil Woolas | 507 c268WH (Link to this contribution) Gurkhas.; Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown | 507 c269WH (Link to this contribution) To return to the diplomatic issue, a worker should be given the right to run away from abuse, but th...; Damian Green | 507 c269WH (Link to this contribution) Oh, the hon. Gentleman is happy to do so, is he?; Damian Green | 507 c269WH (Link to this contribution) I take that point. To move directly on to the point about diplomats, I share some of the impatience ...; Phil Woolas | 507 c270-1WH (Link to this contribution) It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship in this important debate, Mr. Benton. The traditio...; Damian Green | 507 c269-70WH (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for saying that, although I suspect that his colleagues may not ...; Martin Salter | 507 c269WH (Link to this contribution) I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way. I was disappointed by his weasel words when he did not gi...; Martin Salter | 507 c271WH (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that. I think that what he has said is progress. To be clear, th...; Phil Woolas | 507 c271WH (Link to this contribution) Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. I will not repeat the figures, but what he says continues t...; Martin Salter | 507 c271WH (Link to this contribution) Let me just put on record the fact that the decline in the numbers applying for migrant domestic wor...; Phil Woolas | 507 c272-3WH (Link to this contribution) Yes. To repeat, the difficulty, as the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley and others have said, is ...; Anthony Steen | 507 c260WH (Link to this contribution) That is the problem, and it is more than just that those workers come from poor countries. The real ...; Gregory Campbell | 507 c259-60WH (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman is coming to an important point about people who are in an invidious position, so...; Anthony Steen | 507 c258-9WH (Link to this contribution) I congratulate the hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) on his impressive and fluent speech...; Martin Salter | 507 c257-8WH (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: they should be ashamed of themselves. I will come to that po...; Anthony Steen | 507 c256WH (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman need not rush. There is plenty of time and everyone wants to hear what he has to ...; Martin Salter | 507 c256WH (Link to this contribution) Very briefly.; William Cash | 507 c257WH (Link to this contribution) Has the hon. Gentleman had the opportunity to get in touch with the diplomatic service, because ther...; Martin Salter | 507 c257WH (Link to this contribution) Do I know about that case? I saw that case. I will not name the embassy because it would probably be...; Martin Salter | 507 c252-6WH (Link to this contribution) I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I remain optimistic that when the Minister hears t...; David Simpson | 507 c256WH (Link to this contribution) I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on obtaining this important adjournment debate. It is good to hear...; Martin Salter | 507 c256WH (Link to this contribution) I agree entirely. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his contribution and for confirming that the proble...; Anthony Steen | 507 c256WH (Link to this contribution) Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Martin Salter | 507 c251-2WH (Link to this contribution) It is a pleasure to be under your guidance, Mr. Benton, for what is probably the last Adjournment de...; Anthony Steen | 507 c252WH (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman—my hon. Friend, if I may call him that. We all feel great affect...; Martin Salter | 507 c252WH (Link to this contribution) It is my great privilege to give way to the hon. Gentleman.
Subjects: Conditions of employment Abuse Diplomatic service Human trafficking Domestic service Migrant workers Visas Work permits
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk

Migrant Domestic Workers (Visas)

Secondary information

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