It looks like the Tory rebels have the numbers to defeat the bill, the Rwanda bill, if necessary, and refusing to accept the amendments if the government doesn't. Will there definitely be a vote on the third reading today?

No, there will definitely be committee stage today. This is the second day of committee. We had the first day yesterday, 6 hours of detailed debate and can constructive, robust exchanges on all sides, actually. And what we saw yesterday was a unity of purpose. Every single conservative member of parliament determined to ensure that the Rwanda policy works and to stop the votes. And what you saw in contrast to that was that labor can't say what they would do because they have no plan. The prime minister is determined to stop the votes. That is why we're bringing forward this legislation. And we've got the committee stage. That's going to happen. The details, it's not always box office, it's not always glamorous, but it's the detailed working of the legislation and that's what we'll see this afternoon.

Okay, so just to be clear, I thought there was going to be a third reading tonight. In other words, a vote. Is that not the case?

That depends on precisely what happens. There was a program motion necessarily happen? It won't necessarily happen, but there is committee stages. And if there are no amendments, then it will go on to third stage. That's the process that was set down in the program motion and that was passed by the House of Commons before Christmas.

Okay, number ten must be considering pulling it, though.

No, this afternoon I'll be on my feet again in the chamber of the House of Commons. We've got the second day of the committee stage. We'll have amendments that have been put forward on both sides. On all sides. And as I do, and as I have been doing throughout my short period in this role, I'll be listening respectfully to colleagues and listen. I completely understand the concerns of my colleagues. I was.

Three of them resigned yesterday.

And each and every one of them are incredibly good colleagues. And if you listen and heard and saw what they say, they said that they are determined that this policy works. They support the prime minister in his aim to stop the boats. He is the one who has the plan to stop the boats. We'll see more. You're right. We will see more robust debate in the chamber of the House of Commons this afternoon. But I know how my colleagues feel. I was a former deputy chairman of the ERG. I know their concerns. Their concerns are my concerns. And I'm determined that we can get this legislation through, that we can stop the votes, because we have a plan to do that.

You can get it through?

Well, we have a plan to do that. We have a plan to stop the votes with this legislation.

For our viewers, Mr. Thompson, if 29 Tory rebels vote against the government, this will not go through. And according to some of the papers this morning, they're suggesting that potentially the prime minister might have to collapse the government.

Well, no, I think we're getting a little bit ahead of ourselves. I've been talking about the committee stage. That's what happens first. You're right. There is a program motion that was put forward and there would be third reading this afternoon if there are no amendments. But we've got the committee stage first and there'll be doubtless robust exchanges this afternoon in the chamber of the House of Commons. But there is a unity of purpose in ensuring that this legislation works and that actually, if you heard the debate yesterday, and I think if you listen to the debate this afternoon, every single speaker, every single conservative speaker that stood up yesterday started their speech, we must make sure this works because the deterrent effect will work on amendments. The deterrent effect will work. Let me give you an example. Albania. The prime minister secured a deal with Albania just over twelve months ago that has 95% down. I know that has had the determination.

Labor doesn't have a plan. I know. That is exactly. You guys tell me this every day. The point is, if 29 Tory mps vote against this bill, it's done.

No, this bill will proceed. We'll have the committee stage this afternoon and we will get it through. But I'm going to listen respectfully to my colleagues this afternoon. Okay, we got the committee stage this afternoon. That's what we've been talking about. And you're right to talk about the deterrent effect. You're right to cite the nearly 95% deterrent effect that it's had in relation to the deal with Albania.

I didn't. You did.

Well, you said that. We said that before and that's right. Because it is true. Because that is what has happened and that is the proof that this deterrent effect will work. And that's why the prime minister thing.

To do with Rwanda. Yes, it is nothing to do with Rwanda. It's about a deal that you did with Albania. You're trying to sidetrack me. I'm not going to let you. The government announcing 150 more judges being trained to run a new fast track appeal system.

Yes, that's right. The Illegal Migration act that was passed last year produces a system for accelerated appeals. A tight timetable, if you like. And that's why the Lord Chancellor tabled a written ministerial statement yesterday. Of course, judicial judicial deployment is a matter for the judiciary and for the judges. But the Lord Chancellor very clearly set out that there will be additional upper tier tribunal judges. That's exactly what's going to happen. And that's going to help affect. That's going to help affect and bring into and implement the illegal migration act.

How much is it going to cost?

I don't have a figure that I'm going to judge you on.

That generally get paid up to 300,000 pounds. You're talking about 150 judges. Even the lowest paid judges start off at about 100 grand.

I don't have a figure that I'm going to give you on that. But what I do have is the Lord Chancellor's written ministerial statement. It's clear, and it's right, that it's for the judiciary in terms of deployment of the judges. But the direction of travel has been set and 5000 additional sitting days will be released by this. And that just shows the determination of the prime minister to ensure that this legislation works.

What's it going to mean with the backlog of existing cases, if you're redeploying judges while these others are being trained?

Well, they're two slightly different things, Kay. The backlog, in the main, is being resolved by case workers within the Home Office. Decisions that are being made. A record 112,000 decisions were made last year and that did absolutely cut the backlog, more than any previous years. And you're talking about appeal judges. Slightly different in the tribunal, the upper tribunal of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. So they're slightly different things, but actually all show the determination of the prime minister to ensure that his plan to stop the boats works.

Okay, let's talk about Alan Bates. Should we? Everybody knows Alan Bates. Have you seen the program?

I haven't. I've been focusing on my job, which is as a legal migration minister, and.

Stopping the boat take 4 hours out of your time. You'll be glad that you did. You'll realize exactly what a miscarriage of justice it was. He says he still hasn't been offered compensation two decades later.

Well, you've seen the announcement from the prime minister about the legislation that's going to be brought forward. We do have to be careful about that. The minister has come on and has explained, I think, to you personally, Kay, what is happening in relation to that, and in discussions with the Lord chancellor, legislation will be brought forward and that will happen in the ordinary course of events. Yes.

Yeah. Former justice secretary, former post office minister, both sat here yesterday saying they were ashamed that they didn't do more.

Well, the announcement has been made. Legislation is for this government.

I mean, it's not good, is it? And you haven't even taken the time to watch the document, the drama series.

Well, Kay, respectfully, my job is slightly different from that and I've been focused, as you would imagine, your constituents.

It's a story that has absolutely gripped the nation. Surely you could take a bit of time out to see what everybody's talking about.

My focus, and my immediate focus is on the legislation that's going through the House of Commons. That's why I'm here talking to you this morning. That will continue to be my focus throughout today and I'm sure through the rest of the world.

Are you going to watch it?

You've encouraged me to watch it. Good.

I'm glad. That was my aim. That was my aim. Finally, we've just had the latest inflation figures. They've gone up.

Well, yes, inflation doesn't fall in a straight line, but it's clear that the prime minister's plan to halve inflation is working. We are on the right path, we are on the right track, and as a result of the hard and tough decisions that the prime minister and the chancellor have made, it's meant that we have been able to cut taxes, 450 pounds off the tax bill for the average worker. That is what's going to happen. That's what they're already seeing as a result of these decisions that have been made. But you're right, inflation doesn't fall in a straight line, and we've seen that this morning. And in fact, you've seen that across the world as well. It's not just in this country, but inflation doesn't fall in a straight line.

What box sets do you watch?

Okay, I watch. Very little is the honest and straightforward answer. If you ask my family, they'll say, I'm a little bit focused on what I'm doing and probably don't have enough time to watch box sets. And I'm not sure I could even tell you the last box set that I watched. But I do enjoy watching sport. And if you want to ask me about cricket or sport, then please do.

Who's your football team?

I don't really have a football.

So you're not a sports fan?

I'm a cricket fan. I love sport and I enjoy watching sport. But it'd be wrong to tell you that I have a football team. I've been to Bournemouth. I've been to various other grounds, but I don't have a specific football team.

Okay. It's good to see.

Wimborn Town football club. Okay, there we go. Wimborn town.

Okay. What was their last result?

I couldn't tell you that. The last result that I was there was a very exciting. Lots of goals were scored and it was a one all draw.

That's not lots of. Well, it was good to see.

Thank you so much. Thank you.