§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, when they next introduce legislation on immigration and asylum, they will consolidate the existing legislation in the interests of reasonable legal certainty. [HL1967]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)The Government recognise the case for consolidating the Acts relating to immigration and asylum. In his Statement of 29 October, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary set out a comprehensive package 45WA of reform of the immigration and asylum process, some of which will need to be taken forward by new legislation. But it would not be practicable to consolidate these Acts before this reform package has been enacted. The Law Commissions have a responsibility for consolidation, and the Government will consult them about a consolidation. By the time the reform package is enacted, the commissions to be consulted may include the Northern Ireland Law Commission proposed to be established by the draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill. The draft Bill was published on 12 November of this year. The Government also intend to introduce a consolidated version of the immigration rules after the next set of legislation.