I had been to visit the barge in Portland Port when it first arrived, but today I went back with the Leader of Dorset Council (DC), and DC's Corporate Director Andrew Billany, to see how things were going now there were c200 migrants on board. After passing through the outer cordon, we were met by an official from the Home Office, who took us on board. We went through airport-style security once on the barge and were ushered into a room for a briefing, the same one that the migrants receive. Then it was off on a guided tour, occasionally bumping into the migrants, who all seemed settled. Despite my misgivings - and I still think the port is the wrong location - there was a feeling of calm and professionalism on board. Everyone was doing their level best to make this work and the migrants assured. About 200 more migrants are expected by Christmas and that's when the test will come. The Home Office officials - and there were several of them - could not have been more helpful and the Port CEO, Bill Reeves, was also there. Afterwards, I had time to grab a sandwich before heading to Weymouth College to meet Principal Julia Howe and Luke Rake, the Principal of Kingston Maurward College. It's no secret that they are in talks about a merger and I listened carefully to what they both had to say. Both these colleges are vital for my constituents as there are no others anywhere near.