Martin questions PM on unfair Home Office immigration rules

2.32.03pm GMT Wed 7th Feb 2007

Martin Horwood, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham, raised the case of his constituent Gary Douglas with Tony Blair today at Prime Minister's Questions.

Gary has been affected by last year's changes in the rules for the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme, which mean that his visa will not be automatically extended as was promised to him when he made the decision to make the UK his permanent home.

Martin asked Mr Blair:

"In 2005 skilled IT professional Gary Douglas signed a Home Office pledge to make Britain his permanent home. 'This is essential and must be maintained' said the Home Office form.

"Will the Prime Minister look into Mr Douglas's case and explain why, having sold his home and business in New Zealand to fulfil that pledge, he now faces deportation under retrospective changes to the High Skilled Migrant Programme along with valued professionals from India and elsewhere.

"When will the government stop deporting the wrong people and start deporting the right ones?"

Tony Blair replied that he will ask the Home Secretary to look into the case, although he also excused the Home Office by suggesting that the facts are likely to be more complicated than they first appear.

Afterwards Martin commented:

"I was delighted to get the chance to raise this important issue directly with the PM. The way that skilled individuals from places like New Zealand and India are being treated is unacceptable. In particular the retrospective nature of the changes are transparently unfair.

"I am confident that when Tony Blair looks at the facts he will find no excuse for the Home Office's behaviour in this case and others."