Extract from Lords
debate on Afghanistan
Baroness D’Souza (CB):...Of course, there have
been welcome developments. It is claimed that Afghanistan has the
potential to become economically self-sufficient with
infrastructural investment. For example, Khan Steel has reduced the
country’s steel imports by 33% with a $35 million investment.
Furthermore, just under $900,000 spent on an air corridor
with India increased agricultural exports
by $30 million in 2015-16...
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Extract from
Topical FCO questions
Mr (Ealing, Southall)
(Lab): The Indian state of Kerala has suffered its worst
flooding in almost 100 years. One million people have been
displaced and more than 400 have already died. What is the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office doing to ensure that it offers
adequate consular assistance to British citizens in Kerala and to
those with relatives in the state? [906740]
The Minister for the Middle East (Alistair
Burt): This is some distance from the middle east, but
in the absence of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Asia and
the Pacific, I will say that I am aware that we have been engaged
in supporting British citizens and in offering support to the
Government of India where necessary. The Government are very
self-sufficient, as they have dealt with similar issues before,
but we have said that, should there be things they need, we will
help. As always, our FCO team has been touch through its consular
service with those who seek support.
Extract from
Westminster Hall debate on TOEIC Visa Cancellations
(Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
(SNP):..What I cannot understand is why individuals were
not simply given the opportunity to redo a TOEIC test at the
time, which would have avoided a lot of unnecessary cost and
distress for many individuals. Indeed, the right to re-sit the
test is a key recommendation made by Migrant Voice, and one that
I endorse. I trust the Minister will address that in her summing
up. At the very least, the Home Office should recognise
applicants’ right to appeal from within the UK. According to
research conducted by Migrant Voice, all those students it
questioned stressed the unfairness of not even being given the
chance to defend themselves and prove their innocence within the
UK. None of the respondents was given an in-country appeal right,
while the reality of conditions in the countries of many of the
applicants would make it impossible for them to appeal. Most of
the students affected are from Bangladesh, India and
Pakistan, and I wonder what the lasting reputational damage to
the UK will be. It can be no surprise—I think there is definitely
a connection—that the number of student applications
from India is barely a third of what is was
before this situation arose.
Despite a Court of Appeal ruling, the Home Office continues to
insist that applicants must appeal accusations of cheating from
abroad via video link and forces them to leave the UK, which is
unacceptable. If someone was accused of a criminal offence they
would have their day in court with the right to see the evidence
against them and the ability to defend themselves, and so should
those affected by the TOEIC cancellations. It is a matter of
natural justice.
Members might have met my partner, Nadia, who is a regular
visitor to Parliament—she is here today—and has given evidence to
the Home Affairs Committee. She is from India and was falsely accused of cheating
having sat an ETS TOEIC test. She had her visa revoked as a
result, even though she had never used the test to support her
visa applications in the UK. She used the more detailed IELTS—she
passed the test on two occasions. She had also qualified with a
masters degree in information management in the UK, in English.
That did not stop her from being accused and arrested. When she
was interviewed by an immigration officer, he said that her
English was as good as his. It might even be better than
mine. She clearly understands English and speaks it well.
She often corrects my grammar when she gets advance sight of my
press releases and speeches. Unfortunately,
the Hansard guys will have to do this one on
their own...
The Minister for Immigration (Caroline
Nokes):...The Government are committed to the principle
of a fair immigration system, which welcomes highly skilled
migrants and genuine international students, and we have heard a
number of points about the attractiveness of the UK to
international students. We know that the number of overseas
students applying for tier 4 visas is up and there has been an
increase in the number of visas granted, including 9% more from
Chinese nationals and 32% more from Indian
nationals. The UK remains an attractive place for foreign
students to come to. We welcome highly skilled migrants and
genuine students, while guarding against attempts at abuse. We
have significantly strengthened our secure English language
testing regime to ensure the issue cannot be repeated in future,
and have put in place additional features to make sure that we
clamp down on abuse by non-genuine students...
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