Contributions
3,654 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDImmigration and Asylum ApplicationsMy Lords, the Home Office recognises that there are improvements to be made to the initial decision-making process, but there are various reasons why appeals are allowed, not all…19 Jun 2019HANSARDBrexit: Border ControlsThe noble Lord is absolutely right. I talked about my right honourable friend the Home Secretary signing the joint action plan with his French counterpart, Monsieur Castaner. The…19 Jun 2019HANSARDBrexit: Border ControlsI hope the noble Lord will be pleased to know that we have recruited, and are in the process of training and bringing up to speed, 900 Border Force officers. In addition to that,…19 Jun 2019HANSARDBrexit: Border ControlsI am well aware of what my noble friend talks about. I pay tribute to the Border Force and the work it has done. He will probably acknowledge that in any organisation, there will…19 Jun 2019HANSARDBrexit: Border ControlsMy Lords, the Border Force and other law enforcement organisations are successfully working together with international partners to secure our borders from a range of threats,…19 Jun 2019HANSARDImmigration and Asylum ApplicationsI know that the noble Lord will understand if I do not answer all five questions now. However, I will answer his question on more appeals being allowed than applications being…19 Jun 2019HANSARDImmigration and Asylum ApplicationsI do not agree with the noble Lord that there is systematic failing. He will appreciate that many of these cases are complex and involve human rights considerations. I agree that…19 Jun 2019HANSARDBrexit: Border ControlsI am saying that I am confident. A number of the measures that we have taken over the past few months underline my comments. On EU exit, the Border Force has had an additional…19 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksAs I explained to the noble Lord, Lord Paddick, the Law Commission is looking into where there are gaps and consulting widely on this. When a review is done, it is always good to…11 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksMy Lords, crimes motivated by hatred are particularly abhorrent. The Government have asked the Law Commission to review the adequacy and parity of protection offered by the law…11 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksThe noble Lord is absolutely right that I join him in wholeheartedly condemning the attacks in London and Southampton. Perhaps the London one was the most surprising of all, given…11 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksMy Lords, the noble Lord will know that I do not think they are in any way less serious. However, I acknowledge the concerns over the parity of different strands of hate crime…11 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksI was alluding to that very thing when I answered the right reverend Prelate. The noble Baroness is absolutely right and I am glad that she raised this. I have the utmost…11 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksI acknowledge the work done by the Church of England in this area. I thank the right reverend Prelate for reminding me of the pastoral principles. The Church of England has been…11 Jun 2019HANSARDHate Crime: Homophobic and Misogynistic AttacksThe noble and learned Baroness is quite right. Sentencing can be uplifted for a number of different strands of hate crime and aggravating factors can enable that sentencing uplift.11 Jun 2019HANSARDAsylum SeekersThe answer to the noble Lord’s question is: yes, absolutely, these claims are very sensitive, both when they are being determined and, if the individual in question finds…10 Jun 2019HANSARDAsylum SeekersMy Lords, when determining asylum claims, the Government will take information from a variety of sources, including the FCO. I cannot answer all the noble Lord’s questions just…10 Jun 2019HANSARDAsylum SeekersThe Government collate data of asylum claims based on sexual orientation. I understand that almost 6,000 asylum applications lodged between 2015 and 2017 stated sexual orientation…10 Jun 2019HANSARDAsylum SeekersMy noble friend raises an important point. Certainly during CHOGM last year, the Prime Minister and others raised issues of human rights. The churches have a big presence in the…10 Jun 2019HANSARDAsylum SeekersMy Lords, it is important to consider that, for all people claiming asylum, if that claim is not granted, they are sent back to their country of origin. I understand the…10 Jun 2019