Contributions
2,978 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Fourth sitting)The provisions open it up for judges to make a finding of a terrorist connection, but the impact assessment for the Bill refers to a potential increase in the prison population of…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Fourth sitting)I think the number 50 appears in the impact assessment, and I would be happy to look into the basis for that estimate. As for the number of younger people, that was something that…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Fourth sitting)No, it is a maximum. The licence period is between seven and 25 years; within that, the judge has discretion to choose the most appropriate length of time. The point that I was…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Fourth sitting)We have covered many of the operative provisions. They are rather similar to the ones we debated in clause 4, in relation to people under the age of 21. Question put and agreed…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for East Lothian for his constructive comments at the beginning of his speech. As the shadow Minister said, in many respects the work on the Bill…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Fourth sitting)Clause 10 provides for the court to apply a reduction to the custodial term for a serious terrorist sentence in England and Wales from the 14-year minimum in cases where the…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Third sitting)I understand, although, of course, if they step over the criminal threshold, they will be prosecuted. Equally, there is no value in people pretending to engage with…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersI know that my hon. Friend has done a great deal of work in this area. The best way to make sure that people are safe and secure is to ensure that the situation in their home…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum Seekersof course I agree that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect, including asylum seekers. On the health support package, I said earlier that it is provided by the…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersThat varies a great deal, depending on the circumstances of the individual and the circumstances in their home country. I think it is fair to say, however, that the majority, as…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersMy thoughts and those of the Home Secretary and, I am sure, the entire House are with the victims of the appalling knife attack that happened in Glasgow on Friday afternoon. I…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersI thank the hon. Lady for those questions. She started by asking about the move of 321 people in Glasgow from serviced apartments into hotel accommodation, which occurred around…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersI thank my hon. Friend for his question, and he is right. Some asylum claims are meritorious—obviously, many are—and we should work quickly and humanely to grant those…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersMy hon. Friend is right to draw attention to our extremely proud record. I have already referred to the fact that we took in more unaccompanied asylum-seeking children last year…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersThe reason for the rapid move, which we discussed earlier, around the end of March, was the unsuitable conditions in the serviced apartments. That is why those 321 people were…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersThe hon. Lady asked about moves at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic and, as I have explained, that was done for reasons of public health and public safety. I will not…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersLooking after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children is extremely important. As a Member of Parliament representing Croydon, which has either the highest or second highest number…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersThere is currently a police investigation under way, so the right thing is to wait for the outcome of that investigation by Police Scotland before making any further comment. On…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersYes, I can categorically confirm that. The safety of our citizens is this Government’s highest priority. When people, including asylum seekers, commit very serious offences, we…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support and Accommodation for Asylum SeekersThe 321 people moved into hotel accommodation in Glasgow have been there for around three months. As I said, work is under way, including this afternoon, between Home Office…29 Jun 2020