During Thursday's parliamentary debate on the relationship between the UK Conservative/ Lib Dem Government and the Scottish Government, Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, pressed Annabel Goldie to support a change of policy on how the UK Border Agency deals with representations from MSP's in relation to asylum seekers.

Under the previous Labour Government all representations from MSP's on behalf of constituents that were asylum seekers were rejected and MSP's were instructed instead to inform asylum seekers to contact their MP.

Mr Doris who holds surgeries across parts of Glasgow containing a number of asylum seekers has long since campaigned for a policy change. During Thursday's debate Annabel Goldie spoke of 'engagement' as opposed to a  'stand-off' from the previous UK Labour Government. Mr Doris asked Annabel Goldie if that would mean a policy change from the UK Border Agency in how it deals with MSP's, with Ms Goldie urging Mr Doris to 'pursue issues directly with the appropriate UK minister or via the conduit of the Secretary of State for Scotland'. She went further, perhaps signalling a possible policy change, when she said ' I would like to know whether there is any difficulty in facilitating such communication'.

Commenting on the exchange Mr Doris said: "I welcome the positive signals that Annabel Goldie gave in response to my question but like everything else it will be actions that speak louder than words. Currently there is an incredible situation where a vulnerable asylum seeker will come to my surgery and pour their heart out and tell me their personal story. I will then make sure that the UK Border Agency is aware of all the facts before they make any decision on that asylum seeker. However when I contact the UKBA they wont even speak to me. They just say 'tell them to go to their MP'. That means my constituent having to go through the same distress all over again. The system under Labour was inhumane and impractical. I will now write to the new Home Secretary Theresa May to push her on this issue".

Note:

Exchange in Scottish Parliament 27 May 2010 between Bob Doris MSP and Annabel Goldie MSP.

Annabel Goldie: We all understand why the Labour Government saw the role of the Scotland Office as being the Opposition to the Scottish Government—I have as little faith in the ability of Scottish Labour in opposition as Jim Murphy clearly had. However, we are clear about the fact that the Scotland Office's job is to argue Scotland's corner at Westminster, to work with the Scottish Government—whichever party forms that Government—and to do so in the national interest. Instead of conflict, we now have co-operation. Instead of silence, we now have dialogue. Instead of stand-off, we now have engagement.

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): On engagement, I ask Annabel Goldie to ask the new UK Government to deal with members of the Scottish Parliament, via the UK Border Agency, on asylum seeker cases. It is deeply disturbing when asylum seekers pour out their hearts to me about their specific issues. However, under the previous Labour Government, I received no correspondence from the UK Border Agency. Will that change under the Conservative Government?

Annabel Goldie: I am sure that serious regard will be had to the issue that Mr Doris raises. He will accept that the new coalition Government has been in office for only a short time, but I am certain that he will pursue issues directly with the appropriate UK minister or via the conduit of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Both Mr Scott and I would like to know whether there is any difficulty in facilitating such communication.