Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to prevent illegal migrants who arrive in the Republic of Ireland from travelling into Northern Ireland and then to Great Britain.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. That collaboration includes a joint commitment to protect the Common Travel Area (CTA) from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens.
The UK operates intelligence-led operational activity across the CTA and everyone entering the UK, regardless of where they enter from, is required to meet UK’s immigration requirements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the acquittal of Jamie Bryson on 3 July by the Belfast Magistrates Court, what assessment they have made of the conduct of the Security Industry Authority in that prosecution, and of the value for money for taxpayers of that prosecution.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The SIA is an operationally independent arm’s length body, responsible for the service it provides, including how it manages its private prosecutions.
The organisation is already accountable to Parliament for its activities, including its financial accounts, which are audited by the National Audit Office and laid in Parliament on an annual basis.
The SIA did not bring these proceedings against Mr Bryson and was therefore not involved.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will set up an independent review of the Security Industry Authority’s prosecution of Jamie Bryson, in particular with regard to the conduct of the Security Industry Authority and the public money spent on that prosecution.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The SIA is an operationally independent arm’s length body, responsible for the service it provides, including how it manages its private prosecutions.
The organisation is already accountable to Parliament for its activities, including its financial accounts, which are audited by the National Audit Office and laid in Parliament on an annual basis.
The SIA did not bring these proceedings against Mr Bryson and was therefore not involved.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of the Orgreave inquiry.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
As referred to in the Written Ministerial Statement of 21 July announcing the establishment of an inquiry into the events at Orgreave (HLWS860), the Home Secretary is currently in consultation with the Chair of the inquiry on its terms of reference. The Home Secretary has asked the Chair to engage with key stakeholders as part of that process, and a final copy of the terms of reference will be published at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
Further details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much the chair of the Orgreave inquiry will be paid.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
As referred to in the Written Ministerial Statement of 21 July announcing the establishment of an inquiry into the events at Orgreave (HLWS860), the Home Secretary is currently in consultation with the Chair of the inquiry on its terms of reference. The Home Secretary has asked the Chair to engage with key stakeholders as part of that process, and a final copy of the terms of reference will be published at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
Further details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect the Orgreave inquiry to report.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
As referred to in the Written Ministerial Statement of 21 July announcing the establishment of an inquiry into the events at Orgreave (HLWS860), the Home Secretary is currently in consultation with the Chair of the inquiry on its terms of reference. The Home Secretary has asked the Chair to engage with key stakeholders as part of that process, and a final copy of the terms of reference will be published at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
Further details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers and refugees have been dispersed by the Home Office to Northern Ireland in each of the past five years, and how many from Syria, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine in the relevant official schemes.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The number of supported asylum seekers and refugees in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years were as follows:
Immigration group | As at 31 March 2021 | As at 31 March 2022 | As at 31 March 2023 | As at 31 March 2024 | As at 31 March 2025 |
Supported Asylum seekers | 912 | 1,404 | 3,030 | 2,765 | 2,637 |
Afghan Resettlement Programme | Scheme not open | Data not available | Data not available | 203 | 305 |
Homes for Ukraine (arrivals) | Scheme not open | Data not available | Data not available | 1,502 | 1,949 |
Please note that Asylum seekers are accommodated in Northern Ireland only if they apply for asylum there. These figures are a snapshot as at 31 March for the last 5 years.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to create designated-British-passports-only entry points at UK airports.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Whilst there are currently no plans to change queuing arrangements at the UK Border, those arrangements remain under constant review in order to prioritise security, maintain fluidity and ensure that we continue to run our border in the UK's best interests.
As the quickest and most efficient method of crossing the border, we encourage all eligible passengers to make use of the e-Gates at our ports of entry where possible.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation will affect travel from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Electronic Travel Authorisations are a new requirement for international travel to the UK. They do not affect domestic journeys, which means they do not affect travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people in the past 12 months have been arrested and charged with offences relating to the proscribed terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government takes proscription offences seriously. Hamas and Hizballah are both proscribed in their entirety in the UK, with their listings extended in 2021 and 2019 respectively.
Data on arrests, charges and convictions for the proscription offences in sections 11 to 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 can be found in the quarterly Home Office publication ‘Operation of Police Powers under the Terrorism Act 2000’.
Data is not published on the specific proscribed organisation that the arrest, charge or conviction relates to.
The most recent publication up to year ending June 2024, was published on 12 September 2024: Operation of police powers under TACT 2000, to June 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).