Migrants: Barges Debate

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Department: Home Office

Migrants: Barges

Lord Dubs Excerpts
Wednesday 20th September 2023

(8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Murray of Blidworth Portrait Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con)
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The Companion is quite clear. I am afraid I will not be drawn on the Brook House inquiry report in this session.

Lord Dubs Portrait Lord Dubs (Lab)
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My Lords, if, as the Minister says, there are robust measures to ensure the health and well-being of people put on barges, why were a number of refugees and asylum seekers put on the barges before the health measures were in place?

Lord Murray of Blidworth Portrait Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con)
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The health measures were in place, and it was only at a very late stage that the Home Office was made aware of the findings of Dorset Council. At that time, as I say, the Home Office decided to go beyond the recommended position from the UKHSA, which was not to put any more migrants on the barge, and instead to evacuate it, which was surely the responsible thing to do.