On 21st October 2020 three votes were held on the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill. Members of the Lords were asked to agree with the decisions of the Commons to reject amendments they had passed to the Bill, or to propose further amendments in lieu of them. Several bishops took part:
Baroness Hamwee moved Motion B1, as an amendment to Motion B, at end to insert “but do propose Amendment 2B in lieu—
Page 3, line 8, at end insert—
“(5A) Regulations made under subsection (1) must make provision to enable UK citizens falling within the personal scope of—
(a) the Withdrawal Agreement,
(b) the EEA EFTA separation agreement, or
(c) the Swiss citizens’ rights agreement,
to return to the United Kingdom before 31 December 2040 accompanied by, or to be joined in the United Kingdom before 31 December 2040 by, close family members.
(5B) Regulations under subsection (1) may not impose any conditions on the entry or residence of close family members of UK citizens which could not have been imposed under EU law relating to free movement, as on the day on which this Act comes into force.
(5C) For the purposes of subsection (5A)—
“close family members” means—
(a) children (including adopted children), and
(b) other close family members where that relation subsisted on or before 31 January 2020 and has continued to subsist;
“Withdrawal Agreement”, “EEA EFTA separation agreement” and “Swiss citizens’ rights agreement” have the meaning given in section 39 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (interpretation).””
168 Contents, 254 Not Contents
The amendment was disagreed: Government win
The Bishops of Bristol, London, Southwark and Worcester voted Content
Lord Dubs moved Motion D1, as an amendment to Motion D, at end to insert “but do propose Amendment 4B in lieu—
Insert the following new Clause—
Leave to enter: family unity and claims for asylum
320 Contents, 242 Not Contents
The amendment was agreed: Government defeat
The Bishops of Bristol, Carlisle, Durham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Southwark, St Albans and Worcester voted Content.
Lord Oates moved Motion E1, as an amendment to Motion E, at end to insert “but do propose Amendment 5B in lieu—
Insert the following new Clause—
EU Settlement Scheme: physical documented proof
166 Contents, 237 Not Contents
The amendment was disagreed: Government win
The Bishops of Bristol, Durham, Leeds, London and Southwark voted Content
The Church of England in Parliament 