Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department (a) received and (b) granted requests to provide communications data on (i) lawyers, (ii) journalists and (iii) Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly in each of the last five years.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office is the independent oversight body responsible for communications data authorisations.The most recent Information on the authorisation of investigatory powers, including the use of powers and number of authorisations obtained in relation to sensitive professions, is available in the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office Annual Report 2022 Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner 2022 (ipco-wpmedia-prod-s3.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com)
The use of covert investigatory powers is subject to strong safeguards and robust independent oversight by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and authorisations must be consistent with the law. The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 outlines specific additional protections in respect of journalistic material and sources, as well as items subject to legal privilege.
The government is unable to confirm nor deny the existence of any specific authorisations granted under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) or the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
Prior to March 2024 the Office for Communications Data Authorisations, headed by the Investigatory Power’s Commissioner, considered requests for communications data from law enforcement and public authorities. However, since March 2024, the Office for Communications Data Authorisations has become part of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to figure 19.6 of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office’s annual report 2022, published on 26 March 2024, if he will hold discussions with the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland on the potential merits of launching a public inquiry on the alleged surveillance of journalists in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Figure 19.6 of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office’s annual report 2022 refers to statistics for communications data authorisations involving members of a sensitive profession between 2018 and 2022. These are statistics for the whole of the UK, not specific to Northern Ireland.
Oversight of the use of Investigatory Powers is provided by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office who ensure that such use is necessary and proportionate, and used in accordance with the law.
There are ongoing Investigatory Powers Tribunal proceedings in relation to the alleged surveillance of journalists in Northern Ireland. As such it would be inappropriate to comment further or to consider other routes of investigation until those proceedings have concluded.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for Government policy on arms export licenses to Israel of the decision of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Israel.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government assesses export licences against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. We will continue to monitor developments as part of the assessment process. The Foreign Secretary met with President Netanyahu in Israel on 14 July and pushed for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the evidential basis is for increasing the minimum income requirement (MIR) to £38,700 for certain family and work visas; if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the MIR on those affected in (a) Derry City and Strabane and (b) other regions where average gross annual earnings are below the national average; and if he will ensure that the Government's planned impact assessment of increasing the MIR includes an equality impact assessment.
Answered by Tom Pursglove
Analytical work has been undertaken across Government to support decision making in this process. A fact sheet and an initial assessment on the impact of the changes on immigration can be found on GOV.UK at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail
and
A full Regulatory Impact Assessment on these changes has been developed and the Government will publish this alongside an Equality Impact Assessment on this change, both in due course.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance his Department issues on the requirements for customs declarations for business-to-business shipments exceeding the value of £135 between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Financial Secretary (Treasury)
The Government has recently issued guidance on the long-term arrangements for business-to-business parcels which is available on gov.uk - www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-parcels-from-great-britain-to-northern-ireland-under-the-windsor-framework-from-30-september-2024.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will call a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown in 1997.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The murder of Sean Brown was an appalling act. I acknowledge the great suffering it has caused and continues to cause the Brown family, and the wider community.
I am currently taking appropriate advice and considering the Coroner’s report.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish eligibility criteria for funding artists under the Music Export Growth Scheme; whether the political (a) beliefs and (b) activities of applicants are taken into consideration; and for what reason the band Kneecap has not been granted funding.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Applicants for the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) must confirm they meet the minimum criteria. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) acting as our delivery partner convenes an independent Selection Panel which then makes recommendations to the Department for Business and Trade on MEGS grant awards.
Subsequently, the BPI, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS), as MEGS co-funder, all carry out due diligence on recommended grant recipients. Following this, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade makes the final grant decisions, in consultation with DCMS. "Kneecap" did not pass the due diligence process. A Pre-Action Protocol letter has been received and no further comment will be made at this time.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many officials from his Department worked in the US by (a) embassy and consulate and (b) grade in each financial year since 2010.
Answered by David Rutley
| a 1) FCDO/xFCO Headcount for UK based staff working in USA Embassy and Consulates only 2014-2023 | |||||||||||
| March 2014 | March 2015 | March 2016 | March 2017 | March 2018 | March 2019 | March 2020 | March 2021 | March 2022 | March 2023 | ||
| Atlanta | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Boston | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Chicago | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Houston | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Los Angeles | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Miami | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| New York (CG) | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| San Francisco | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Washington | 40-49 | 40-49 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 50-59 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 40-49 |
| a 2) FCDO/xFCO Headcount for CBS/Locally Engaged staff working in USA Embassy and Consulates only 2014-2023 | |||||||||||
| March 2014 | March 2015 | March 2016 | March 2017 | March 2018 | March 2019 | March 2020 | March 2021 | March 2022 | March 2023 | ||
| Atlanta | 10-19 | 10-19 | Fewer than 10 | 10-19 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | 10-19 | 10-19 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Boston | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| Chicago | 20-29 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| Houston | 30-39 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | Fewer than 10 | 10-19 | Fewer than 10 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| Los Angeles | 20-29 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| Miami | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 20-29 | |
| New York (CG) | 60-69 | 60-69 | 30-39 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| San Francisco | 30-39 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 60-69 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| Washington | 160-179 | 140-159 | 140-159 | 160-179 | 140-159 | 160-179 | 160-179 | 160-179 | 160-179 | 160-179 |
| b 1)FCDO/xFCO/xDFID Headcount for UK based staff working in all USA Locations 2014-2023 | |||||||||||
| March 2014 | March 2015 | March 2016 | March 2017 | March 2018 | March 2019 | March 2020 | March 2021 | March 2022 | March 2023 | ||
| AA / AO/ EO | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | |
| HEO | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | |
| SEO | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | 10-19 | |
| G7 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | |
| G6 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| SCS | 20-29 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 |
| b 2) FCDO/xFCO/xDFID Headcount for CBS/LE/SAIC working in all USA Locations 2014-2023 | |||||||||||
| March 2014 | March 2015 | March 2016 | March 2017 | March 2018 | March 2019 | March 2020 | March 2021 | March 2022 | March 2023 | ||
| S1/S2/S3 | 440-459 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 50-59 | |
| AA/AO | 70-79 | 60-69 | 60-69 | 80-89 | 80-89 | 90-99 | 90-99 | 80-89 | 90-99 | 90-99 | |
| EO | 140-159 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 80-89 | 70-79 | 80-89 | 80-89 | 70-79 | 70-79 | |
| HEO | 80-89 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 80-89 | 80-89 | 80-89 | |
| SEO | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| G7 | 20-29 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | |
| G6/SCS | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
In line with FCDO data retention rules data is not held prior to 2014.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence his Department had with (i) the Northern Ireland Office, (ii) the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure and (iii) Translink on the Union Connectivity Review Report between publication of that Report and the Government response.
Answered by Huw Merriman
As you will appreciate, most transport matters are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. The UK Government’s Transport Ministers engaged with their counterparts when the Northern Ireland Executive was in place. In the absence of an Executive, officials have continued to liaise regularly with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Translink on the recommendations made by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s independent Union Connectivity Review. This resulted in the UK Government providing funding support for three rail connectivity studies in Northern Ireland. The Department for Transport also engaged regularly with the Northern Ireland Office at official and ministerial level to discuss UK connectivity matters.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his timetable is for resolving technical faults relating to the issuing of Biometric Residence Permit cards.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The incidences of technical issues preventing Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) card production are very low. Where issues are encountered, operational case working teams and IT Support endeavour to resolve the issue swiftly without any adverse impacts for the applicant.
For the very small proportion of cases that could not be resolved immediately, the Employer Checking Service (ECS) and Landlord Checking Service (LCS) are available to provide support to applicants to verify their immigration status and permission to work and rent properties in the UK.
Longer term, the Home Office is developing a border and immigration system which will be digital by default. The ambition is to phase out physical documents, such as BRP’s, before the end of 2024 as we move towards a system of online evidence of immigration status (eVisas).