Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 25 June (HL859), whether information available to them enables them to determine whether a person claiming asylum in Northern Ireland has previously claimed asylum in Ireland; and, if so, what specific information-sharing mechanism or database provides that information.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not routinely share asylum information with Ireland, but as per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing and will include asylum seekers.

All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to establish their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks - including war crimes, crimes against humanity and terrorism.

These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system. These system and security database checks are completed during the asylum screening process and before a decision is made.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports of xenophobic violence against migrants and refugees in South Africa; what discussions they have had with (1) the government of South Africa, and (2) regional partners regarding the protection of affected individuals; and what support they are providing through diplomatic or aid channels to promote the safety and rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the region.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK is closely monitoring developments regarding reports of violence and intimidation directed at migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. We are concerned by any incidents of xenophobic violence and welcome the South African Government's public condemnation of attacks on foreign nationals and its commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect all those within its borders. We continue to engage with the South African Government and regional partners regarding these developments, including on public safety and human rights, as appropriate.

Found:                                   Lord Anderson of Swansea   Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Acting Chair) Lord Boateng    Lord German

Found: I am copying this letter to Lord Davies of Gower, Lord German, Baroness Chakrabarti, Lord Harper, the

Found: Lord Anderson of Swansea   Baroness Anelay of St Johns Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury Lord German

Found:                                   Lord Anderson of Swansea   Baroness Anelay of St Johns Lord Boateng Baroness Blower   Lord German

Found: Members present: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (The Chair); Lord Anderson of Swansea; Lord Boateng; Lord German

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Found: Baroness Anelay of St Johns Lord Boateng Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury Baroness Blower   Lord German

Found: Chair); Lord Anderson of Swansea; Baroness Anelay of St Johns; Baroness Blower; Lord Boateng; Lord German

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Found: The Chair); Lord Anderson of Swansea; Baroness Anelay of St Johns; Baroness Blower; Lord Boateng; Lord German

Found: Baroness Anelay of St Johns; Lord Boateng; Baroness Blower; Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury; Lord German