Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy on the storage, disposal or re-use of any serviceable inflatable craft or similar craft used by cross-Channel migrants.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided to PQ HL7826 on 23/05/23.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to increase the amount of school pupils visiting the UK from EU countries, particularly France, by removing the passport requirement that is currently in place.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
At the summit in Paris on 10 March 2023 the UK committed to ease the travel of school groups to the UK by making changes to documentary requirements for schoolchildren on organised trips from France.
We are currently working through the details of implementation; and more information, including timescales, will be provided in due course.
This agreement with France will help to strengthen and maintain educational and cultural links with our closest continental neighbour. We will keep the position under review and ensure that we continue to operate our border in the UK’s best interests.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) risks, and (2) potential legal consequences, for individuals who intervene to try to stop an assault or similar violent crime.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office is not aware of any assessment to have taken place within Her Majesty’s Government regarding the (1) risks and (2) potential legal consequences for individuals who intervene to try to stop an assault or similar violent crime.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) cost, and (2) practicability, of establishing a police presence at sites in towns and cities that do not have police stations; and if so, what consideration they have given to such sites being staffed by volunteers, communicating with the nearest full police station as required.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
On the 4th February 2021, the Government published a total police funding settlement of up to £15.8 billion in 2021/22, an increase of up to £636 million compared to 2020/21. Overall police funding available to PCCs will increase by up to £703 million (5.4% in cash terms) next year.
Decisions about the allocation of police resources and deployment of officers are for Chief Constables and democratically accountable PCCs. They are responsible for ensuring the needs of the local community are met.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possibility of communities providing funding for volunteer-manned community support facilities that are able to liaise directly with police stations.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government actively encourages local communities and volunteers to support police forces to prevent crime. To this end it provides grant funding to Neighbourhood Watch, a community-based volunteer led organisation that enables 2 million households across the UK to become directly involved in crime prevention. Individuals form local groups who often have direct communication with their local police.
It is common practice in many police forces to have designated Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators who assist in engaging directly with the groups. The government also grant funds Crimestoppers, a charity that provides an anonymous reporting system for communities to report and provide information about actual or suspected crimes. In addition, The government has also recently awarded funding to local areas as part of the £25m Safer Streets Fund. This fund is designed to reduce neighbourhood crimes and many plans contain community-based elements. Many successful projects will be setting up neighbourhood watch groups and other more informal networks within communities with the aim to help prevent crime in unison with the police in some of the highest acquisitive crime areas across England and Wales.’
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many former Afghan interpreters have been (1) granted five year residency permits, (2) allowed to bring dependants to the UK, and (3) granted indefinite leave to remain.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Afghan interpreters who qualify to come to the UK under the relocation schemes are able to bring qualifying dependent family members with them. To date, around 400 former Afghan interpreters have relocated to the UK with their families, making around 1,100 people in total.
We have always been clear that Afghan interpreters would be able to stay in the UK with their families. The Home Secretary announced on 3 May that new Immigration Rules would be brought forward as soon as possible to ensure Afghan interpreters and their families have a route to permanent settlement. Applications will be free of charge after completing 5 years’ leave.
Working with Other Government Departments, the Home Office will also look at what can be done to improve the process for Afghan interpreters to bring to the UK those family members who remain in Afghanistan.