HL Deb 16 February 1993 vol 542 cc1119-20

1. The Secretary of State, after consultation, if thought fit, with the British Refugee Council and any other statutory or voluntary body which he considers appropriate, shall from time to time appoint such persons as he thinks fit to be members of the panel of young asylum-seekers' advisers and every such appointment shall be made upon such terms and conditions in all respects as the Secretary of State shall prescribe.

2. The Secretary of State may from time to time revocably delegate to the British Refugee Council or other appropriate statutory or voluntary body all or any of his duties under paragraph 1 of this Schedule.

3. Such panel shall so far as practicable include persons who—

  1. (a) are, or can call upon persons who are, able to converse in the several languages likely to be spoken by young unaccompanied asylum-seekers;
  2. (b) are familiar with the habits and customs of the territories from which such young asylum-seekers are likely to come; and
  3. (c) have knowledge of child-care legislation and immigration procedures.

4. A person who is an officer or employee of the immigration service shall not be eligible for appointment to such panel.

5. It shall be the function of an adviser to whom a young asylum-seeker has been referred to safeguard his welfare in all matters relating to immigration, accommodation, education, physical and mental health and general welfare for so long and to such extent as the adviser shall from time to time consider necessary or desirable and in performing such function the young asylum-seeker's adviser shall have regard to the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the young asylum-seeker (considered in the light of his age and understanding).").

Baroness Faithful

This amendment was debated with Amendment No. 64, and therefore is not moved.

(Amendment No. 107 not moved.)

House resumed: Bill reported with amendments.