Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the powers under the Public Order Act 1936 relating to the wearing of uniforms have not been used during political protests and demonstrations where people are dressed in similarly coloured clothing.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Police have a broad suite of powers available to manage protests, respond to disorder and address criminality where the relevant legal thresholds are met.
The use of these powers is a matter for operationally independent forces who will take decisions on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that enforcement is proportionate and effective in protecting communities from harm.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what technological innovations they have so far developed, or are developing, to deal with new post-Brexit demands for (1) the management of borders with EU Member States, and (2) customs and tariff arrangements with EU Member States.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Over the last two years, Border Force has invested £108m in new technology and capability and has committed a further £71m in 2017-18. New border systems will improve capabilities at all interception points. improving Border Force’s ability to manage demand and maintain and enhance security.Future customs controls required following EU exit will depend on the outcome of the negotiations. All options are being considered. In the unlikely event that an agreement with the EU is not reached, the Government will work to ensure that trade between the UK and the EU is as frictionless as possible.
HMRC’s current Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system is due be replaced by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). HMRC remains on target to deliver CDS by January 2019 and is actively managing delivery plans in partnership with stakeholders, including industry representatives.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied that, in co-operation with the Metropolitan Police, they have made adequate arrangements to safeguard public order and security in the vicinity of the Supreme Court when members of the Court are giving attention to, and announcing their judgement upon, the issues relating to the notification of the intention to leave the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The role of the police in managing demonstrations is to preserve the peace, to uphold the law and to prevent the commission of offences. Police tactics and decisions on how to achieve these objectives are a matter for the independent operational judgement of chief officers of police.
The Metropolitan Police Service has a proportionate policing plan in place to maintain public order in the vicinity of the Supreme Court for the duration of the hearing of the Article 50 case.
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which local authority areas in the UK have been identified through official statistics as having public services that are under excessive pressure as a consequence of migration from other EU member states; which official statistics show such pressures; and in each case, what is the usual time lapse between the collection and publication of those statistics.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a report based on 2011 census data, on the changing levels of the non-UK born population in every local area, available at http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rpt-international-migrants.html#tab-Local-geography-of-non-UK-born-and-non-UK-nationals.
The Home Office also published a research report ‘The Social and Public Service Impacts of International Migration at the Local Level’ (July 2013) which shows the local authorities that have been particularly affected by international migration, including migration from the European Union member states (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210324/horr72.pdf).
Asked by: Lord Kinnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which statistics from local and national sources they use to measure or demonstrate pressures on public education, health, housing and other services in the UK as a consequence of migration from other EU member states.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a report based on 2011 census data, on the changing levels of the non-UK born population in every local area, available at http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rpt-international-migrants.html#tab-Local-geography-of-non-UK-born-and-non-UK-nationals.
The Home Office also published a research report ‘The Social and Public Service Impacts of International Migration at the Local Level’ (July 2013) which shows the local authorities that have been particularly affected by international migration, including migration from the European Union member states (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210324/horr72.pdf).