Asked by: Ben Howlett (Conservative - Bath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider issuing guidance restricting the taking of photos and videos following the Shoreham air show crash.
Answered by Mike Penning
We have taken this question to relate specifically to those involved in policing in light of the recent disciplinary action taken against two Police Officers working for Sussex police on probation who attended the scene of the crash in September 2015.
There are clear standards of behaviour for those involved in policing. Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers are underpinned by the policing Code of Ethics, developed by the College of Policing and laid before Parliament in July 2014. The Code outlines the expectations of all who are involved in policing and which should be upheld in all circumstances. Forces are responsible for providing guidance to their officers and staff in terms of the appropriate handling of any such incidents including the taking of photos and videos, as well as maintaining discipline within the force according to the Standards of Professional Behaviour for policing. The College of Policing, which was established by the Home Office in October 2012, has published information on its website on the appropriate way to post information online for those working in policing.
The Home Office cannot intervene or comment on individual cases, which are a matter for individual forces.
Where such incidents take place and the conduct of those involved in policing falls below the expected standards, it is for individual forces to investigate such allegations and instigate disciplinary proceedings where it is appropriate to do so. I understand that Sussex Police pursued disciplinary procedures in this incident.
The Home Office is continuing to improve the police discipline system to ensure that the processes and their outcomes are transparent and that police officers are held to account for their actions to ensure full public confidence in the integrity of police.
Asked by: Ben Howlett (Conservative - Bath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will increase the licensing enforcement powers available to local authorities to ensure that pubs do not act as clubs without permission.
Answered by Karen Bradley
Licensing authorities and the police already have a range of enforcement powers under the Licensing Act 2003. These are sufficient to prevent pubs operating without relevant permissions. These include powers which licensing authorities have to impose conditions on a premises licence or revoke a premises licence where appropriate. They are responsible for making decisions based on what is appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives. These are the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm.
Licensable activities include not only the sale of alcohol but also regulated entertainment such as a performance of live music and any playing of recorded music among other entertainments. While the rules on regulated entertainment on licensed premises were recently relaxed so that permission is only required for such events when they occur outside the hours of 08.00 and 23.00 or when there are more than 500 people in attendance, an applicant for a premises licence should set out in an operating schedule the licensable activities they intend to hold on the premises.
Asked by: Ben Howlett (Conservative - Bath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to encourage volunteers to monitor CCTV to help the police service.
Answered by Mike Penning
The Government believes that volunteers could play a greater role in policing, which is why a consultation was recently held to give Chief Constables greater flexibility to designate police powers to staff and volunteers, to enable them to support officers more effectively in keeping their communities safe.
I am aware that a number of forces use volunteers within their CCTV control rooms already and more are currently recruiting for these roles. However all decisions on the recruitment, size and composition of a police force’s workforce are rightly a local matter for chief officers and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
Asked by: Ben Howlett (Conservative - Bath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the eligibility criteria are for entry to the UK for citizens of (a) Palestine and (b) Israel.
Answered by James Brokenshire
Non-EEA nationals seeking entry to the UK for any purpose must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. The Rules set out the criteria that applications for entry clearance, leave to enter or remain must meet to qualify for entry. Applicants must produce either a valid passport or travel document that satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality or citizenship.
Nationals or citizens of Israel, who hold a full Israeli passport, do not require a visa to come to the UK as a visitor or for any other purpose, for less than six months. Holders of Palestinian travel documents require a visa to come to the UK for any purpose in the Immigration Rules.
Asked by: Ben Howlett (Conservative - Bath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on introducing a single tier Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure certificate.
Answered by Karen Bradley
Enhanced criminal record certificates are available for a range of posts and activities involving particular sensitivity or trust, including working closely with children or vulnerable adults. Applications are based on the relevant workforce, which ensures that any local police information relevant to that category can be considered for disclosure. There are no plans to move away from this position.