Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Debate between Jeremy Wright and Natalie Elphicke

Consideration of Lords amendments
Monday 18th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Sir Jeremy Wright]

My hon. and learned Friend anticipates my conclusion, and I agree with him entirely. In fact, he agrees with me entirely, in advance.

[Mrs Elphicke]

In light of what my right hon. and learned Friend says, how does he see Parliament’s role in assessing any future breaches of the treaty?

[Sir Jeremy Wright]

Essentially, Lords amendments 2 and 3—flawed as they are—raise the valid issue of what happens if Rwanda at any point falls below the standards expected of it to justify its safe country status. The Bill would establish in legislation the largely unchallengeable conclusion that Rwanda is a safe country for the purposes of the Bill because Parliament says so, without any mechanism for Parliament to say differently if the facts change—save, presumably, for fresh primary legislation.