Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, spoke in the Commons in the Immigration Minister’s Illegal Migration Update, to ensure that while the Government is rightly tough in this policy, those in need of asylum are treated compassionately, women and children and families are protected, and that safe and legal routes are supported and bolstered.
The full exchange in Parliament:
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“Can I thank the Minister for his update and for his hard work in this area? Can my Right Honourable Friend reassure this House that the treatment of women, children and families throughout this whole process will be compassionate? And that throughout the entire process that this Conservative Government is committed to supporting and bolstering safe and legal routes to help vulnerable people fleeing persecution and seeking sanctuary?”
Robert Jenrick MP, Minister for Immigration, replied:
“Firstly, he has my total assurance that whilst this policy is tough, it will also be decent and legal. And he can see the work that I did in the Autumn, in the reforms to the Manston site in Kent, as evidence of the way in which I will approach this.
“But, to his second point absolutely, this Government believes in the UK being a world leader for resettlement schemes, and safe and legal routes, which we are already. 500,000 people have come to our country for humanitarian purposes since 2015. That's something we should be proud of, and it's something that a Conservative Government will continue.”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“The public have been resolute that they expect our Government to act decisively on the issue of small boats and that is what we are doing. I have been clear however that getting tough on criminal trafficking gangs and those seeking to take advantage of our moral asylum laws - such as the large number of young men coming from the safe country of Albania – should not compromise our nation’s long history of outward-looking progressive humanitarian support. That is why I was pleased to hear the Immigration Minister’s assurances that the Government’s approach will be decent, legal and does not compromise the UK's reputation as a world-leader in resettling those fleeing conflict, persecution or oppression.”
“We should be very proud in the UK of our track-record in resettling some 500,000 people for humanitarian purposes since 2015 and I look forward to building on this by securing more safe routes and ensuring our approach is compassionate, ethical and legal.”
