Contributions
2,978 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsIn the last 18 months, about 185 people have been physically returned. There are getting on for a further 1,000 people whose cases we are currently progressing where there is…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsI have already pointed out that last year we received 3,500 asylum applications from unaccompanied children—the highest number of any European country. That is our contribution to…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsMy hon. Friend is right in his analysis. NCA officers are embedded in law enforcement units around Europe and beyond to track down these criminal gangs. It is not just an issue in…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsFormer Royal Marine Dan O’Mahoney has been appointed, as the hon. Member describes, and has overall operational and policy responsibility for this rather unique and very serious…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsWe hear that message loud and clear. We understand the anger at those illegal, dangerous and unnecessary crossings, and we will do whatever it takes to stop them, including…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsYes, I agree with my hon. Friend’s sentiments. We understand and share the anger that his constituents feel, and he is a very effective advocate for them. We are doing work at the…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsNo one is detained in a hotel: they are given free hotel accommodation. In relation to modern slavery, the national referral mechanism provides extremely comprehensive protection…02 Sept 2020HANSARDChannel Crossings in Small BoatsWork is under way in that area. The French authorities have clamped down a great deal on the sale of those vessels, so some of the more organised criminals now seek to procure…02 Sept 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillAs I said, I accept that. There have not been any historical cases where the standard of proof has been a blocker, but we have been categorically advised by the security services,…21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillThe Lord Chancellor has appeared, as if by magic, behind the Speaker’s Chair and has indicated to me by eloquent gesticulation that the MAPPA review will indeed be published…21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillI thank the Members who have contributed to a very thought-provoking debate this afternoon. I would like to reply, if I may, to some of the points that have been raised. I will…21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillMy hon. Friend and south London neighbour is kind for giving way. Let me reassure him on his point about the limits of polygraphs. We understand and accept that they have limits,…21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillMany hon. Members today have reminded the House that our first duty as Members of Parliament is public protection. The very moving contribution of my hon. Friend the Member for…21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillNumbers in the prison and probation service have been increasing over the past few years. As I said, a great deal of extra money was provided in September last year, and that will…21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Billrose—21 Jul 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. I believe that the measures that we are taking in the Bill, the additional resources given to counter-terrorism policing and the…21 Jul 2020HANSARDTerror Offences: Prison SentencesIn Committee, we heard extremely compelling evidence from Assistant Chief Constable Tim Jacques, who is one of the national policing leads on counter-terrorism. He explained how,…14 Jul 2020HANSARDTerror Offences: Prison SentencesProtecting our fellow citizens is our most important duty. The Government legislated in February, via the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020, to make sure…14 Jul 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support for Asylum SeekersNational Government provide a huge amount of support and finance to help asylum-seeking populations. We pay for all the accommodation. We pay for the council tax, which of course…13 Jul 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support for Asylum SeekersWe remain committed to providing support and accommodation to those who need it, but, in addition to that free accommodation, we also pay for utility bills and council tax. Free…13 Jul 2020