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1129560

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration Controls
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security impact of adding passengers from seven additional countries to the list of those able to use automated ePassport gates on arrival in the UK; what impact they anticipate these changes will have on waiting times for passengers at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5; and what impact they anticipate abolishing paper landing cards will have on border security.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL16045
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>Keeping the UK’s border secure is our priority. The decisions to expand ePassport gate eligibility and remove the requirement to complete a landing card were taken after careful consideration and in consultation with security partners across Government.</p><p>Landing cards were primarily used to collect statistics and not used for routine security checks. The Government remains reassured, on the basis of direct expert engagement, that this change will not impact on border security. The additional nationalities that can now benefit from use of the ePassport gates were identified as suitable based on a variety of factors, including immigration abuse, security, cooperation on border matters and prosperity.</p><p>Analysis has shown that allowing these additional nationalities to use the ePassport gates provides them with more efficient entry into the UK, whilst not significantly increasing waiting times for existing ePassport gate users. The change will also significantly improve manned queue times, at certain ports and at certain times for other passengers.</p><p>Both changes are being closely monitored to ensure that we understand and can adapt to any impact they may have, including on queue times.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 18/06/2019 13:19:01 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1170196

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Deportation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the errors made by the Home Office in the case of Saiful Islam, originally from Bangladesh and now living in Cardiff; whether they still intend to deport him; and what steps they intend to take to ensure that such errors do not occur in future in relation to other cases.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL342
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>All applications are considered on their individual merits, on the basis of the evidence provided and in accordance with the immigration rules. Since Mr Islam’s case came to light, we have apologised to him for the errors made in relation to criminality checks, and rolled-out a new training package for all staff entitled ‘Data Protection in the Home Office.</p><p>Although not in direct response to Mr Islam’s case in particular, this training course aims to enhance data protection awareness and understanding throughout the Home Office workforce.</p><p>Mr Islam is not subject to removal action at present.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 27/01/2020 17:06:47 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1238674

	registered interest
	date	29/09/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Travel Authorisations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government at what stage of development is the Electronic Travel Authorisation system; and when they intend the system to come into use.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL8598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2020 answer text <p>The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme requires primary legislation. It will be developed for delivery as part of the wider multi-year programme of change to the UK’s Points-Based Border and Immigration system.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 13/10/2020 15:40:33 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1241979

	registered interest
	date	08/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Law and Order: Unmanned Air Vehicles
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to update legislation covering the use of drones by law enforcement agencies (1) to incorporate provisions for transparency, and (2) to allow the development of guidance.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL8945
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not currently have any plans to update legislation on the use of drones by law enforcement agencies. The use of drones by law enforcement agencies is guided by regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority and the use of surveillance cameras by police is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (2018) and the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (2013).</p><p>The use of drones is an operational decision for individual police forces who deploy drones based on their operational needs. The Home Office does not gather any data on the use of drones by law enforcement agencies.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL8946 question first answered 22/10/2020 15:11:06 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1241980

	registered interest
	date	08/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Law and Order: Unmanned Air Vehicles
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of (1) the increase of the use of drones by law enforcement agencies in England and Wales in the last four years, and (2) the reasons for any variation between police forces in their reliance on drones.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL8946
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not currently have any plans to update legislation on the use of drones by law enforcement agencies. The use of drones by law enforcement agencies is guided by regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority and the use of surveillance cameras by police is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (2018) and the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (2013).</p><p>The use of drones is an operational decision for individual police forces who deploy drones based on their operational needs. The Home Office does not gather any data on the use of drones by law enforcement agencies.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL8945 question first answered 22/10/2020 15:11:06 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1288461

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Aviation: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the requirement for additional border checks for passengers entering the UK from ‘red list’ countries on queues at (1) Heathrow airport, and (2) other airports; and what plans they have to increase the number of Border Force officers on duty dealing with passenger border checks in order to improve people’s ability to maintain social distancing.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL13486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>We will never compromise on border security and continue to fill our vital function of keeping the border secure and are deploying additional officers to provide support as and when required. Border Force officers have played a vital role during this pandemic.</p><p>There is extensive signage throughout the airport – including in immigration halls – reminding passengers to adhere to the Government’s social distancing guidance, but there are points in the airport journey where social distancing is not always possible. Border Force officials implement social distancing as an effective control measure. <strong> </strong>Every airport, including Heathrow, has a responsibility to comply with social distancing and Covid measures on site.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 08/03/2021 17:38:11 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1300454

	registered interest
	date	08/03/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration Controls: Heathrow Airport
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the number of Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport; and what steps they have taken to verify the accuracy of reports of excessive waiting times for border checks at that airport.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL13991
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2021 answer text <p>Wait times in airports can be caused by a number of factors, not just related to resourcing. This includes all mandated border security activity, the volume of immigration case working, additional support and checks in relation to Covid-19, and specific security activity. Our teams seek to balance this range of tasking each day. Whilst mindful of passenger wait times and experience, our primary objective is to ensure the security of the border.</p><p>Like all public services operating throughout this unprecedented global pandemic, there have been additional pressures placed on Border Force and the safety of the public and our staff remains our priority.</p><p>Resource and staffing requirements at every port, including Heathrow, are continually reviewed by Border Force working with airport operators including Heathrow Airport Ltd. Resources are deployed flexibly as and when they are required.</p><p> </p><p><strong></strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 22/03/2021 17:05:06 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1302064

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration Controls: Heathrow Airport
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks by the Chief Operating Officer of Heathrow Airport that queues at border control (1) regularly exceed three hours, and (2) sometimes exceed six hours; what plans they have to provide more staff to process border procedures; and what assessment they have made of the impact of border control waiting times on the UK’s international reputation.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL14155
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>Wait times in airports can be caused by a number of factors, not just related to resourcing. This includes all mandated border security activity, the volume of immigration case working, additional support, specific security activity and, like many other international destinations, checks in relation to ensuring border health measures relating to the Covid-19 have been complied with.</p><p>Our teams seek to balance this range of tasking each day. Whilst mindful of passenger wait times and experience, our primary objective is to ensure the security of the border and compliance with border health measures.</p><p>Like all public services operating throughout this unprecedented global pandemic, there have been additional pressures placed on Border Force and the safety of the public and our staff remains our priority.</p><p>Resource and staffing requirements at every port, including Heathrow, are continually reviewed by Border Force working with airport operators including Heathrow Airport Ltd.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 25/03/2021 16:30:41 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1328402

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Overseas Students: Remote Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the current arrangements which enable universities to sponsor overseas students to study remotely into the next academic year until international travel restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic are eased.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL628
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2021 answer text <p>Throughout the pandemic, the Government has operated a wide range of concessions to support international students and their sponsors, and these have been kept under regular review.</p><p>There is no requirement for students overseas who begin a course by remote study to hold a Student visa or to be sponsored by a licensed Student sponsor for study undertaken overseas.</p><p>Students who begin a course remotely are able to make an application for a visa once they intend to begin face-to-face learning in the UK. The simplified Student route allows for an application to be made up to 6 months in advance of the start date for study in the UK. This is increased from the 3 month period allowed under the former Tier 4 route, and formerly a Covid-19 concession which we have formalised in order to provide assurance to students who plan to travel to the UK for their course.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 10/06/2021 15:05:34 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1359061

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	UK Border Force: ICT
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of the problems affecting the Border Force's IT systems, and (2) what steps they are taking to reduce the impact of such problems on international travellers.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL3129
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2021 answer text <p>In recent weeks there have been a series of short interruptions of service for the Border Crossing system and eGates. We have taken actions to review and address the cause of these issues and have increased monitoring to identify system pressures early to avoid interruptions to service.</p><p>Border Force work closely with technology partners to minimise the impact of service interruptions and have a series of operational mitigations to manage the impact on passenger flows and ensure border security has been maintained at all times.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 28/10/2021 16:08:46 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson