Rwanda Asylum Partnership Debate

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Department: Home Office

Rwanda Asylum Partnership

Baroness Williams of Trafford Excerpts
Wednesday 19th October 2022

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)
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I think the House wants to hear from the Liberal Democrat Benches.

Lord Purvis of Tweed Portrait Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)
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I am grateful to the Government Chief Whip. I visited the reception centre in Kigali in June, and I asked about the legal basis of that centre, which is on a private contract on an annual basis that will run out in April. I saw no facilities for people who will be vulnerable or at suicide risk, and I have asked repeatedly in this House about the legal underpinning of the MoU. This House’s International Agreements Committee has today reported to say that it is unacceptable for measures such as this to be under an MoU rather than being under a treaty. Will the Government think again and allow Parliament to vote on, scrutinise and ratify this agreement if they believe that it is sound?