Under-fire Woolas is quizzed by MPs

OLDHAM MP and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas faced his first grilling in his new role by one of the Commons most influential committees.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP was quizzed on immigration, British jobs for British people and foreign national prisoners for two hours by the Home Affairs Select Committee.

He was questioned in detail over almost every comment he has made since taking on the high-profile role last month.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz said he had never known an immigration minister get so many headlines within weeks of taking the job. But Mr Woolas defended his position, saying he wanted to start a debate about immigration.

“The Government’s objective is to raise the profile of the policy and raise the debate of immigration. It is better for the country that there is a better understanding of the issues,” he said.

And he dismissed claims he had been gagged by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith over a recent delayed appearance on Question Time, but said it was a collective decision resulting in his appearance on another broadcast.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer asked for clarification over a comment made last month when Mr Woolas said if the points-based immigration system had been introduced a year ago there would be 12 per cent less migratory workers coming in.

She said: “Are you conceding government policy was too lenient?”

Mr Woolas said: “In the past it was not as controlled clearly, so the answer is yes.”

But he told the committee the British public would be reassured by the new system.

And he tackled critics who complained about his recent remarks that some lawyers and charities working on behalf of asylum seekers were playing the system.

He gave an example of a case where a person’s application was denied, an appeal was lodged, a re-application made, it was again denied, a second appeal was lost, the person was removed from the country abd then a judicial review was granted.

“The following day there was an instruction the person must be returned to Britain at taxpayers’ expense to attend the judicial review.

Mr Woolas told the MPs: “I think that is playing the system to the nth degree.”

He continued: “We are trying with the tribunals to ensure legal rights are accessible but we are trying to ensure the system itself runs efficiently because justice delayed is justice denied.”