§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Given that the subtitle of the White Paper Secure Borders, Safe Haven refers to "Britain", what is the name of this state in (a) international law and practice; and (b) in domestic law. [HL2838]
§ Lord RookerIn internal law and practice the definitions of this state generally refer to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In domestic law, the Interpretation Act 1978 (Schedule 1) sets out that references in any Act to "British Islands" means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The United Kingdom means Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Given that immigration is an excepted matter under paragraph 8 of Schedule 8 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, why the White Paper Secure Borders, Safe Haven refers in the subtitle only to "Britain"; and whether it is proposed to change the law in order to devolve responsibility for immigration to Northern Ireland. [HL2839]
§ Lord RookerThe title and subtitle to the White Paper do not have legal effect, although the reference to "Britain" in the subtitle was intended to cover the widest possible definition of the British islands.
The Government have no plans to change the law in order to devolve responsibility for immigration to Northern Ireland.