Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to review the potential impact of the number of (a) diversity, (b) inclusion and (c) gender-based initiatives on morale in the Armed Forces.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Secretary of State has ordered a review of all equality, diversity and inclusivity policies across the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence to ensure that all those who are willing and able to serve our nation are able to freely do so in an environment which is welcoming to all, but that no policy distracts from the priority of defending our nation and being able to fight our enemies in a more dangerous age.
We will only meet current and future security challenges and threats if all our people, regardless of background, are confident that their efforts, skills and experience are properly recognised, and they are able to achieve their full potential.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of claimed conversions to Christianity by people resident on the barge in Portland Port on their asylum applications.
Answered by Tom Pursglove
All asylum and human rights claims, including those based on religion or belief, and regardless of where or how a person might be accommodated while in the UK, are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations.
Detailed Home Office policy guidance provides a framework for considering asylum claims, including those based on religious conversion, and all caseworkers receive extensive training before making such decisions.
Those found not to need protection are refused, and the decision can be subject to legal challenge, where appropriate, either via appeal to the independent courts, or through a judicial review, depending on the decision in question. Once appeal rights are exhausted, they are liable for removal and enforcement action is pursued where necessary.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason people accomodated on the Bibby Stockholm barge are transported to Weymouth by a full size bus; what the cost to the public purse is for this service; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using a minibus for this service.
Answered by Tom Pursglove
Those resident on the barge are not detained. Through our contracted service provider, the Home Office provides a bus service to take asylum seekers from the port to destinations agreed with local agencies. This is designed to ensure the movement of asylum seekers on and off the vessel is orderly and controlled, with the impact on the surrounding community as small as possible.
Financial assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly on the overall cost of each large site and vessel to test the value for money to the taxpayer.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is her Department's policy that asylum seekers accommodated on asylum vessels will be able to move freely or have restrictions on their movements.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
As with all asylum accommodation, asylum seekers accommodated on vessels will be non-detained. If someone is late returning from a visit off the site, they will be contacted to ascertain their whereabouts. Those accommodated will be required to sign in and out of the site. Individuals will be subjected to security checks when they re-enter the vessel.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has placed controls on the ability of the migrants on the barge at Portland Port to come and go at will.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
As with all asylum accommodation sites will be non-detained. There will be no curfew. As a matter of routine, if someone is late returning from a visit off the site, they will be contacted for to ascertain their whereabouts.
The vessel will be managed by an experienced accommodation provider under contractual terms agreed with the Home Office. The same supplier has safely and successfully managed two vessels for Ukrainian refugees for the Scottish Government over the past year.
It is being designed to minimise the impact on local communities and services.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much Portland Port is being paid from the public purse to accommodate the migrant barge for an initial period of 18 months.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
The Home Office cannot disclose commercially sensitive information.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who will provide what medical facilities for the migrants on the barge in Portland Port; and who will be responsible overall for their health.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
The Home Office expect to provide medical services on site, with detailed planning ongoing. All asylum seekers in the UK may contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if they need help, advice, or guidance, that includes raising issues relating to safeguarding.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding will be provided to statutory bodies that have responsibilities for the planned migrants on the barge in Portland Port in addition to what has already been promised to Dorset Council and the police.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
The Home Office has committed to providing funding to help minimise the impact on the local community and local services. Discussions regarding the specific funding arrangements for statutory bodies are ongoing.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role she plans that voluntary bodies and charities will play in regard to the migrant barge in Portland Port; and what funding she plans to provide to those bodies and charities.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
We are working with local authorities and the voluntary sector in regular Multi Agency Forum (MAF) meetings to identify potential opportunities.
Asked by: Richard Drax (Conservative - South Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the dispersal arrangements are for the migrants on the barge in Portland Port when their time on the vessel comes to an end; where they will then be housed; and what responsibilities Dorset Council will have for them.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
The accommodation have been contracted for 18 months. We are assessing how long asylum seekers will be accommodated before being moved further through the accommodation system.