EU: Free Movement of Labour

Baroness Stowell of Beeston Excerpts
Tuesday 11th November 2014

(9 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Stowell of Beeston Portrait The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con)
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If we are all very brief, we should be able to get in a question from the Cross Benches and a question from the Liberal Democrats.

Lord Bilimoria Portrait Lord Bilimoria
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My Lords, everyone would agree that we should clamp down on illegal immigration and those who come to take advantage of this country. However, is the Minister aware of a recent poll ranking the contributions of immigrant communities? One of the countries that came highest for a positive contribution was the Polish community, with 44%. On the other hand, the Bulgarians were on just 18%, although the Bulgarian ambassador pointed out that only 1,000 Bulgarians were on benefits. Why, then, do we not appreciate the contribution of immigrants from the European Community as well?