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1,129 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsAs I have said many times in this House while the noble Baroness has been present, the reason why asylum seekers are not initially allowed to work is in order to prevent a very…27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsI am afraid that I cannot provide the noble Baroness with an update on the child rights impact assessment, but I am sure that it will be provided.27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsOf course, I do not have those statistics to hand but they are available on the GOV.UK website. The latest statistics release, covering 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023, shows that…27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsThe noble Lord will not be surprised to learn that I disagree with him. The purpose of the Illegal Migration Bill is to deter dangerous crossings of the channel and other methods…27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsTempting though it is to take up the noble Lord’s invitation to predict what might happen tomorrow, I will not go down that avenue. If I may, I will answer the earlier question of…27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsI thank the noble Lord. The answer is clearly that we would not, and I agree with the sentiment of his question.27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsI thank the noble Lord for that question, which is clearly important and I will find out the answer. I know that the noble Baroness, Lady Chakrabarti, has a Question about missing…27 Jun 2023HANSARDAsylum: Channel CrossingsMy noble friend is right that intelligence exists suggesting that people smugglers give information to those they smuggle. I am aware that allegations have been made against…27 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomI do not have the figures for Ireland, unsurprisingly. Clearly, one may conjecture that, because Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area, there is therefore some frictional…19 Jun 2023HANSARDBritish Nationality (Regularisation of Past Practice) BillThat the Bill be now read a second time.19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomThat may well be a very good idea. I am afraid that I am not in a position to comment on that at the moment, but I will certainly look into it.19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomClearly, the reforms in relation to school groups arriving in the UK were taken as a result of our international change of status, but of course it is important that central…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomWe recognise the importance of cultural and educational exchanges between the UK and other nations. It is worth noting that our offer to visitors is among the most generous in the…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomAs I said a moment ago, I am not privy to the funding arrangements for the Turing scheme. It seems to me that what the noble Earl suggests is a sensible course, and I will…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomUK schoolchildren travelling to Europe will need to travel on their passports, as they do not have ID cards; that is consistent with what the EU expects. It is open to other…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomAlthough collective passports remain government policy, it is perhaps of note that a number of signatories to the 1961 Council of Europe treaty that underpins their use have…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomI am unfamiliar with the details of the Turing scheme, but I will certainly look into it and write to the noble Baroness.19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomClearly, there has been a reduction in the number of organised school groups coming to the UK since 2019. However, it is likely that socioeconomic factors such as the cost of…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomAll visitors to the United Kingdom are expected to hold a valid passport and visa where necessary. However, as part of an overall agreement on migration reached with France during…19 Jun 2023HANSARDSchool Trips to the United KingdomClearly, once the electronic travel authorisation scheme is in place, holders of EU passports will be able to apply for permission to travel to the UK, which will last for a…19 Jun 2023