Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the risks associated with the links between al-Qaeda and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham in Syria.
Answered by Ben Wallace
Al-Qaeda’s presence in Syria predates the present conflict. The Assad regime historically tolerated the group as a means of destabilising Iraq and preventing the group targeting his regime.
Since the start of the conflict, al-Qaeda, primarily through their affiliate Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, have exploited areas where there is a lack of effective governance to control pockets of territory, promote a radical ideology and attempt to undermine efforts to resolve the conflict.
Despite nominally disaffiliating in July 2016, we assess that Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) retain strong links to al-Qaeda. This is reflected in HMG’s proscription of JFS as an alias of al-Qaeda. By establishing itself as an effective opposition force through Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other sympathetic groups, al-Qaeda has managed to populate significant areas of north-west Syria, likely increasing their ability to plan, train and develop capability for external attacks.
By establishing itself as an effective opposition force through Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other sympathetic groups, al-Qaeda has managed to populate significant areas of north-west Syria with supportive networks, establishing and improving its operational capability. This is likely providing al-Qaeda with safe areas of operating space to plan, train and develop capability for external attacks, as well as access to numerous potential operatives.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of the Syrian crisis on al-Qaeda's ability to use that country as a base.
Answered by Ben Wallace
Al-Qaeda’s presence in Syria predates the present conflict. The Assad regime historically tolerated the group as a means of destabilising Iraq and preventing the group targeting his regime.
Since the start of the conflict, al-Qaeda, primarily through their affiliate Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, have exploited areas where there is a lack of effective governance to control pockets of territory, promote a radical ideology and attempt to undermine efforts to resolve the conflict.
Despite nominally disaffiliating in July 2016, we assess that Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) retain strong links to al-Qaeda. This is reflected in HMG’s proscription of JFS as an alias of al-Qaeda. By establishing itself as an effective opposition force through Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other sympathetic groups, al-Qaeda has managed to populate significant areas of north-west Syria, likely increasing their ability to plan, train and develop capability for external attacks.
By establishing itself as an effective opposition force through Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other sympathetic groups, al-Qaeda has managed to populate significant areas of north-west Syria with supportive networks, establishing and improving its operational capability. This is likely providing al-Qaeda with safe areas of operating space to plan, train and develop capability for external attacks, as well as access to numerous potential operatives.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to ensure that freedom of movement to and from the UK for Irish citizens is pursued during negotiations between the UK and the EU on the UK's departure from the EU.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Senior Officials from the UK, Ireland and Northern Ireland are working closely to consider the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU on the Common Travel Area (CTA) and the movement of UK and Irish citizens within this free movement zone.
The CTA arrangement predates the EU and leaders in the UK and Ireland have been unequivocal –both want to maintain the current arrangement.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to maintain the use of the Dublin System in the event of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The British people have voted to leave the European Union and the Prime Minister has been clear that their will must be respected and delivered.
The question of how the UK deals with asylum applicants arriving in the UK from EU Member States and shares information with the EU and international partners will be a key consideration as part of the process of leaving the EU and establishing a new relationship.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to maintain the Assisted Voluntary Returns schemes after 2020.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Assisted Voluntary Returns Service was integrated into the Home Office Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) on 1st January 2016 and provides a range of help and support to those who are here illegally and are seeking to leave the UK voluntarily. The Home Office envisages that the VRS will continue beyond 2020.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to require EU nationals to gain visas before entering the UK in the event of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The UK continues to be a member of the European Union and therefore EU nationals do not require a visa to come to the UK, nor do British citizens require a visa to visit the rest of the EU.
The Prime Minister has underlined that it would not be right for the Government to give a running commentary on negotiations. It is about developing our own British model so we will not make decisions until we are ready.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prepare for the outcome of the EU referendum.
Answered by James Brokenshire
The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain - so we get a better deal for Britain and secure our future. The Government is focused on delivering a successful renegotiation: it believes it can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support migrants and asylum seekers who (a) are children, (b) are elderly, (c) have serious injuries and (d) have other specialist needs who are rescued during operations in the Mediterranean.
Answered by James Brokenshire
Initial medical triaging and assistance is carried out on board UK vessels deployed to the Mediterranean for search and rescue purposes. Migrants are then taken to a nearby port, as directed by the Italian authorities, where their needs can be more fully assessed and addressed by Italian authorities there.
The UK has regular discussions with other Member States about search and rescue in the Mediterranean.
Furthermore, the UK is also playing a leading role in pushing for comprehensive, long-term action through the EU and the UN to tackle the cause of illegal immigration and the organised trafficking gangs behind it, as well as increasing support and protection for those who need it North and East Africa. We are clear that the need to break the link between getting on a boat and achieving residence in Europe.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions her Department has had with its EU counterparts on search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
Answered by James Brokenshire
Initial medical triaging and assistance is carried out on board UK vessels deployed to the Mediterranean for search and rescue purposes. Migrants are then taken to a nearby port, as directed by the Italian authorities, where their needs can be more fully assessed and addressed by Italian authorities there.
The UK has regular discussions with other Member States about search and rescue in the Mediterranean.
Furthermore, the UK is also playing a leading role in pushing for comprehensive, long-term action through the EU and the UN to tackle the cause of illegal immigration and the organised trafficking gangs behind it, as well as increasing support and protection for those who need it North and East Africa. We are clear that the need to break the link between getting on a boat and achieving residence in Europe.