Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 6 October (HL10578), what international data and systems they have relied on when completing security checks, including biometric and criminality checks, for students coming to the UK from Gaza; and what assessment they have made of their adequacy in supporting such checks.

Robust security checks will be undertaken on all individuals who enter the UK through this process. Biometrics will be collected as part of the visa application process and prior to travel to the UK.

The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists. The Home Office works with both law enforcement and wider government partners to ensure appropriate action is taken before travel or at the border when individuals of concern are identified.

It would not be appropriate to provide further detailed information about the nature and scope of security checks.