Visas: Watoto Children’s Choir 11:23:00 Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty’s Government: What steps they are taking to enable the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda to visit the United Kingdom. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead) My Lords, it is difficult to discuss individual cases, especially those where no formal application has been submitted. That said, the UK Border Agency works closely with charitable organisations to make sure that they fully understand what is required of them and that those who meet the Immigration Rules can prove it. Lord Roberts of Llandudno My Lords, I expected a fuller Answer from the Minister, because the British high commission in Kampala announced at 7.45 this morning that these visas had been granted to the children. A noble Lord All because of your Question. Lord Roberts of Llandudno My Lords, these Benches really do contribute tremendously to the House. Will the Minister get in touch with the high commission in Kampala to verify that? Will he also meet other organisations involved with young people about meeting the new Criminal Records Bureau and visa criteria for these visits? Lord West of Spithead My Lords, the Answer crafted by the Box was, I thought, a marvellous piece of not saying anything. I am, of course, absolutely aware of this situation, as I have been working on it for the past few days and we have discussed where we have got to on it. It is now clear that the group involved—a marvellous choir, which helps the orphans of those with AIDS and has visited before—has provided the right data. We have to be absolutely sure that young people are protected in this country. There was confusion because the choir had not provided those data, so we could not process the visas. The data have now been provided and the visas will be being processed now. I was aware of that. My speaking note said “cannot”, but I changed that to “it is difficult to” discuss individual cases. That is where it stands. Of course, it is incumbent on the Government always to protect youngsters. We know that from awful cases in this country. We have to put things in place and nothing had been provided to show that this was being looked after. It is now, so we can move forward. Lord Mawhinney My Lords, I am sure that the whole House is grateful for the work that the Minister has been doing on this, but I wonder whether he would take time to see what lessons might be learnt from this incident. I am one of the Members of this House who have heard the choir. To the best of my failing memory, it has made at least two prior visits to this country, because it has sung in the churches in which I worship on both occasions. The choir is an embodiment of the effectiveness of the work of NGOs and Christian missions. It embodies hope, which is a virtue in short supply these days. It would be helpful if, in future, these ambiguities did not have to arise, thus raising questions about future visits. Lord West of Spithead My Lords, the noble Lord is absolutely right. I did not answer fully the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, on this point. I am very happy to say that officials will meet these groups, because things need to be made clearer. I think that there was confusion that an extended CRB check was required in these cases, but that is not the case; a full CRB check is not required. What we need is evidence to show that someone has looked into the safety of the young people while they are here. We have no desire to stop them coming over on the ground that some might be left here. It is not like the Moscow Philharmonic, which used to come here during the Cold War and go back as a string quartet. We do not think that that is going to happen. We think that they will go back to their own country. Baroness Howe of Idlicote My Lords, it is obviously important that visits such as this are facilitated and, indeed, welcomed. Can the Minister reassure me that charges are not made for visas on this kind of visit, which would prohibit a considerable number of people from coming to this country? Lord West of Spithead My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot say that. They are charged the normal rate of £65 a visa, but I am sure that that is all taken account of in terms of the total visit and the money that goes to the charity. We firmly support these things. The choir does marvellous work. As the noble Lord mentioned, it is inspiring. What it is doing is wonderful and makes a considerable amount of money for this worthwhile charity. Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer My Lords, I wonder whether the Minister saw the inspiring programme about the work that the Venezuelan youth orchestra has been doing in difficult areas in Venezuela. Scotland is now taking a leaf out of that orchestra’s book and learning from its methods. The orchestra is visiting in April. May I ask the Minister not only about the CRB check issue but whether he will ensure that a positive line is taken on visas? At the moment the line seems to be rather negative. Will he ensure that guidelines look positively on these cultural exchanges? Lord West of Spithead My Lords, I do not know the specifics that the noble Baroness is talking about, but I can say that we look positively on these things. It is appropriate that we make sure that all the correct checks are done, particularly when looking after the safety of youngsters. It is also appropriate to make the right checks to protect our borders. We have done some revolutionary things to achieve that and had a number of debates in this House on it, so those things are important. We very much approve of these sorts of cultural event and assist them whenever we are able to. Lord Howarth of Newport My Lords, could not the choir have a collective visa at £65 for them all? Lord West of Spithead My Lords, I cannot say on the Floor of the House that that would be achievable. It is an attractive thought that for charitable things there might be some scope for such provision, but I certainly would not commit the Government to that because I do not think that that would be appropriate.