Immigration Bill

I am struggling to work out where new Part 13 begins and ends, but I wonder whether the Minister in the chair, the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, might take a very short call to speak on Supplementary Order Paper 68, as it affects the amendments that have been occasioned by the Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill. If he has got his head around it—I do not say that sarcastically—I ask him whether he would like to give us any comment on what has happened to the amendment to the District Courts Act 1947, which pertains to the number of District Court judges. I think that the bill acknowledged that the number of District Court judges was going to increase, but this amendment takes that increase away. That does not seem quite right.

The Minister may not wish to take a call. We cannot force the Minister. We could make a great hue and cry about it. In fact, we could do so for some hours. I wonder whether we should take this legislation through until 10 o’clock. The Minister does not mind? The Minister has had a terrible day. We were trying to be easy on the gentleman. There is only a certain amount of abuse and hardship an individual piece of physiology can take. An ordinary piece of vaguely humanoid protoplasm does have its limits! I thought the Minister has had a tough day and he would be quite happy to finish at 6 o’clock.

💬 Hon Darren Hughes: He wasn’t allowed a question time.

That is true. He had a late start. That is true. If the Minister is going to ignore me, then we can always respond to that. In fact, we can respond seriously. What do we think, team?

I am trying to work out what has happened to the number of District Court judges. I thought it had gone up. As I read Supplementary Order Paper 68, it takes the number down again, and that does not seem right. The explanatory note states: “The amendment relating to the District Courts Act 1947 (which altered the maximum number of District Court Judges from 140 to 141) will be addressed in a separate Ministry of Justice bill amending that Act.” I think that the Minister is saying that we do not need the amendment now, because the amendment will be made later. I can see the whips conferring. Maybe they are working out how many District Court judges we need in this country. The Minister is showing no signs of flexing his flaccid musculature.

💬 Hon Member: Offensive reference.

Is flaccid not the right word? I meant “flac-cid”. I mispronounced it. I apologise.

💬 Hon Darren Hughes: We would like a response.

We would like a response from the Minister, but we will not get one. I will resume my seat.

The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 68 in the name of the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman to the proposed amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 32 in his name to add new Part 13 be agreed to.