Contributions
1,129 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingThere are many reasons why children go missing from care generally. This is true also of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We are not in a position—and it would be wrong—to…23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingThere is no minimum age for application for asylum.23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingI thank the noble Lord for his question. Clearly, the statistics he cited are not entirely correct. Let me put on record what they are. The Department for Education collects data…23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingI can assure the noble Baroness that the Home Office takes very seriously the safeguarding of the young people who are in the hotels. Their safety and well-being are our primary…23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingClearly, the move into hotels is as swift as we can make it once the unaccompanied asylum-seeking child comes to the attention of the authorities. The hotels have staff consisting…23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingAs I hope I have made clear, responsibility for the inspection of the hotels rests with the borders inspectorate. The hotels have been inspected in the past year. It is…23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingI can assure the noble Lord that, as I have already said, the safeguarding and welfare of these children are among the department’s top priorities.23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingThe noble Baroness is very perceptive. Unfortunately, there is a temptation to adopt the most lurid interpretation but, as I said a moment ago, there are many reasons why children…23 Jan 2023HANSARDChildren Seeking Asylum: SafeguardingCertainly, the department does not know of any cases of kidnap. The reports in the media over the weekend are of course the subject of investigation within the Home Office but, at…23 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillMy Lords, I thank Members of the Committee for all their speeches. Amendment 119 seeks an assessment of how the Act relates to the Official Secrets Act 1989. As we set out in last…18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security Bill18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillMy Lords, Clause 77 allows the Secretary of State to make regulations about the publication and sharing of information provided through the foreign influence registration scheme.…18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillI thank both noble Lords for those contributions. I can, of course, reassure the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, who will be aware that my noble friend Lord Sharpe committed in this…18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillAt the moment I fear I cannot commit to providing draft regulations. It may be that there are some, but it may be that to draft regulations prior to Report would be too…18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillIndeed, the Law Commission made a recommendation about a potential reform to the 1989 Act. As I have already said, that is not the purpose of this Bill and will be a matter for a…18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillI have no doubt that the department will reflect on those points. We are all very aware of last week’s debate, in which the Leader participated.18 Jan 2023HANSARDNational Security BillI note the noble Lord’s views on the topic, but we are where we are. Obviously, the department will take away what he says and endeavour to meet his reasonable request.18 Jan 2023HANSARDImmigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2023I thank both noble Lords for their helpful contributions. I will certainly seek to address all the questions asked. I will deal first with the points raised by the noble Lord,…17 Jan 2023HANSARDImmigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2023That the Grand Committee do consider the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2023.17 Jan 2023HANSARDAsylum SeekersAs the noble Lord knows, local authorities have a statutory duty to protect all children, regardless of where they go missing from. On the concerning occasion when a child goes…17 Jan 2023