Contributions
1,129 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersThe noble Baroness is exactly right: the gangs involved in people smuggling do advertise in Albania, usually on social media platforms—I understand that TikTok is particularly…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersI thank the noble Lord for his question. As ever, he is very à la mode and clearly foresaw that there would be a Statement by the Prime Minster. I will answer his two questions.…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersAs of the end of September, there were 117,400 cases, which related to 143,377 people awaiting an initial decision. On enforcement and the penalisation of those engaging in people…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersCertainly, the deal with Albania will take effect as soon as it is agreed, which should be in the near future. The asylum backlogs will be dealt with by the end of next year. A…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersI entirely agree with my noble friend: the 1951 convention prohibits the penalisation of asylum seekers. It is the illegal entry—entry without leave—that renders it unlawful under…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersThe Home Office is increasing the number of staff making asylum decisions in relation to these areas. We have increased the number of asylum case workers by 112%, from 597 staff…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAlbanian Asylum SeekersObviously, I agree with my noble friend that the consequences of conflict have led to greater migration. As the Prime Minister observed, that problem is not going to go away; we…13 Dec 2022HANSARDPublic Order BillI thank noble Lords. The public order measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 have only just come into force, so, in the Government’s view, it is far too…13 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyI am afraid not. This country has shown time and again—from those who arrived on the Kindertransport, which the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, raised, and the Ugandan Asians expelled by…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyThose considerations are being studied in the department and will feed into future policy on this issue. Where an individual’s claim is unsuccessful, they would need to be removed…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyVery well. I shall write, as requested.09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyI am afraid that time does not permit me to address all the issues raised by noble Lords. However, I fully understand that this is and will remain an emotive issue for many.…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyForgive me, I am afraid I really must make progress. I am sorry to decline the noble Lord’s intervention.09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyI would be terribly sorry if my noble friend Lord Cormack were to miss his train. I turn to the questions in relation to climate change. We will not remove anyone to any other…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyI invite noble Lords to ask Written Questions in relation to those points instead.09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyHesitate as I do to disagree with the noble Lord, that matter is currently before the High Court, and the Government’s position is clearly at odds with his assessment. I crave the…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyI hear what the noble Baroness says. I commend to her the excellent Policy Exchange paper From the Channel to Rwanda: Three Essays on the Morality of Asylum . On page 14 of that…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyI thank the most reverend Primate for leading the debate and initiating a constructive dialogue on the important topic. I also thank noble Lords from all sides of the House for…09 Dec 2022HANSARDUK Asylum and Refugee PolicyMy apologies; he is the only Sikh on the Labour Benches. I also share the sentiment of both the noble Lord, Lord Sahota, and the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Leicester in…09 Dec 2022HANSARDIndependent Cultural Review of the London Fire BrigadeMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Chakrabarti, for securing this timely debate. London Fire Brigade’s culture review, conducted by Nazir Afzal, makes for…08 Dec 2022