"Dear All,

I am writing with further updates on the BCI Bill as it passes through Parliament as well as details on the Joint Committee on Human Rights report on the Bill, which cites the Medical Justice submission submitted last year.

The Bill has now passed through Report stage, with the Third Reading scheduled for 22 April. Further to what I wrote in my last email, Medical Justice did not submit any amendments for this part of the passage: it became clear that more detailed amendments in relation to detention and healthcare were not generally being accepted by the official clerks for discussion by the peers. It seems as if the attitude on this is to wait until the larger "Simplication Bill" emerges later this year. The amendment on statistics and detention which I mentioned in my last email was not moved.

However, some interesting discussion did take place. Lord Avebury spoke of the need to extend the duty to act in a child's best interest to UK Border Agency staff working overseas. In doing so, he referred to MJ's Outsourcing Abuse Report. Lord Avebury's points were met with largely unsatisfactory responses from Lord West, the Minister. You can find this discussion during the Report here

Although Lord Avebury withdrew the amendment which he hoped to move in this regard, he nevertheless stressed that further amendments may be possible on this topic in future.

There was also debate on clause 52 which transferred all immigration judicial reviews from the High Court to the Upper Tribunal. This clause was subject to an amendment, which was passed, resulting in a defeat for the government. The amendment of Lord Kinglsand's which was passed had the effect of removing clause 52 from the Bill, to be replaced by a provision which allows only fresh claims to be transferred to the Upper Tribunal. So this was a positive outcome.

Also, the Joint Committee on Human Rights report on the BCI Bill has just been published. This Report reiterates the point that the substantial reforms will take place in the later Simplification Bill. However, it does discuss the rights of children, including in relation to detention, and although not making any specific recommendation that such detention should end, does note the evidence which Medical Justice submitted, and the aim that future legislation will address the human rights issues, and difficulties under the Convention on the Rights of the Child which this practice engages. I include the link to the full report - see especially pages 6-8 and 18 and paragraph 1.14, in which the MJ evidence is cited.

Overall, I think MJ has made a positive impact on the debate here, although it's clear we need to become more directly involved when the Simplification Bill emerges. The next stage of debate on the BCI Bill is the Third Reading on 22 April. I will keep you informed of thesubsequent progress of the BCI Bill.

Do get in touch if you have any comments / ideas in relation to the above.

All the best,