Asylum Bill: Legislative Timetable (Hansard, 24 February 1992)

Earl Ferrers
Yes, my Lords.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, if the Government intend to proceed with the Bill, why have they not fixed a date for the Committee stage in order that this House may proceed with it? Cannot the Government make up their mind or has the impending election not left them time? Why will the Prime Minister not announce the date of the election so that the uncertainty in the country can be ended?

Earl Ferrers
My Lords, the noble Lord asked me to tell him the date of the general election. I have no intention of telling him, even if I knew it, and I do not. The noble Lord asked why the Government do not make up their mind. The Government have made up their mind to continue with the Asylum Bill. The reason why it has not appeared on the Order Paper so far is a matter of priorities.

§ Lord Renton
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the privilege of asylum in this country has been and is being abused on a large scale? Does he agree that his statement that the Government propose to proceed with the Bill is very welcome?

Earl Ferrers
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that assurance and encouragement. The facts are that 4,000 people applied for asylum in 1988; 22,000 applied in 1990 and 45,000 applications were made in 1991. Those figures do not include dependants.

§ Lord Richard
My Lords, can the Minister confirm that if the election is held on 9th April it will not be possible to proceed with the Asylum Bill this side of the election? If so, may I congratulate the Government on abandoning that ill-advised measure?

Earl Ferrers
My Lords, the noble Lord should avoid the temptation of being too speculative. He will see from the programme of future events that, provided the Opposition are in agreement, the Bill will be placed on the programme of forthcoming events.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, if it was not the Government's intention to have the Bill passed through both Houses, why was it introduced? Why have not the Government suggested a date for us to proceed? Does he agree that it is absolutely absurd that there is a commitment to the Bill yet the Bill is simply not introduced into this House?

Earl Ferrers
My Lords, the noble Lord asks why will the Government not make up their mind. As I told him, the Government have made up their mind. They wish to introduce the Bill and see it on the statute book. The noble Lord knows perfectly well that there is a priority for legislation and the Bill has to take its place in the queue. The noble Lord need not worry too much. If the Bill does not get in this side of the election, it will get in the next side of it, because the present Government will be in place.

§ Lord Harris of Greenwich
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that some noble Lords are a little puzzled by his replies? A few moments ago he said that it was a matter of priorities. Does that mean that the Education (Schools) Bill deserves, in the Government's view, to take priority over the Asylum Bill, notwithstanding the view of the noble Lord, Lord Beloff, that the Education (Schools) Bill was a wholly silly Bill and the silliest Bill that any Parliament had ever had to consider?

Earl Ferrers
My Lords, the noble Lord is puzzled by my answer, but I cannot think why. It was perfectly straightforward. He mentioned my noble friend Lord 11 Beloff, who makes his own speeches and is responsible for them. The noble Lord, Lord Harris, will see the Bill. He need not worry too much.