Immigration

Debate between Lord Henley and Lord Peston

Wednesday 7th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Henley]

The noble Baroness makes a very good point. The changes we are making for overseas students are intended to make sure that they can come here to study and can possible stay on, but we do not want them to bring their families where that is not necessary or to stay on as permanent residents afterwards if that is not appropriate.

[Lord Peston]

Will the Minister enlighten us on the economics of all this? A great many of his noble friends in this House and his honourable and right honourable friends in the other place claim to be great supporters of free trade and the free market. Will he explain how that is compatible with denying employers and other institutions the right to buy labour services, wherever they might come from, that can be used profitably? Surely supporting the free market means allowing precisely that, and not limiting immigration?

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, I could, if I had the time—but I do not have the time—give the noble Lord a long lecture on the economics of this.