My Lords, my noble friend Lord Paddick and I have registered our opposition to Clause 69 standing part of the Bill. These are penalties for unco-operative countries—refusing entry clearance,
treating an application as invalid, levying extra fees—in fact, two pages of provisions if the country does not co-operate in the return of its nationals by the UK. I knew it would be late by the time we got to this group. I did not anticipate 3.07 am, but here goes.
Clause 69 says a lot about how we see our place in the world. Global Britain we are not. This is more about imperialist Britain—“We know best, and if you do not co-operate with us, we will penalise your citizens” —an excellent way to make friends and influence people and so useful when negotiating a returns agreement. Frankly, I am ashamed. Will that do?