Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill

My Lords, I am extremely grateful to noble Lords for their kind words about the work that I have done and also about the work of officials. They have been magnificent in their efforts. I start by saying to the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, that I made sure that the paper was sent to him on Tuesday 7 March as it was published, and he was invited to a meeting that his noble friend Lord Dholakia had with me and the Bill team on Thursday of last week, when we went through all the points that were raised. I apologise if for whatever reason that did not get to him or he did not get notification. As I indicated, I tried to keep my promise to make sure that noble Lords received copies as it was published, had a chance to read it, and had meetings with me and my officials to go through it. I will try to answer all the questions that the noble Lord has raised as best I can. If I fail to do, so I will ensure that they are answered properly. I would not want anyone in your Lordships’ House to think that I did not try, even if I clearly did not succeed. The noble Lord, Lord Avebury, raised the question that I want to deal with now about the independent monitor. A letter was sent to him yesterday and e-mailed, which included a suggestion that the noble Lord meet my noble friend Lord Triesman, who is concerned to pick up the points that the noble Lord raised. It has taken me a little time to achieve that because my noble friend is often out of the country, but he is very determined to support the noble Lord in the answers that he seeks on that point. I point out as I said in the letter that the time delay in producing the report of the independent monitor is not unusual, in the sense that we need a few weeks to sort it out. I understand that there are 59 recommendations made in the report, on some of which we have to seek legal advice. I am keen that we get as much information as possible to the noble Lord.