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790148

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: France
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with the French Human Rights Ombudsman on the treatment of unaccompanied minors in France.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	113361
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2017 answer text <p>The UK is working very closely with France and other EU Member States in respect of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Children in France are the responsibility of the French government, and robust safeguarding processes are in place for children to enter into and be supported by the French care system.</p><p>We are not currently working with the French Human Rights Ombudsman but the UK has regular engagement at ministerial and senior official level with the French authorities more broadly. We have a strong track record of cooperating with France to manage the situation in Calais and to protect our shared border. We supported the humanitarian operation to clear the Calais migrant camp in October 2016, which involved the transfer of more than 750 children to the UK and funding to help provide migrants in Calais – including minors – with suitable facilities elsewhere in France.</p><p>In addition to this, our security and law enforcement teams have worked closely together to tackle organised criminal gangs operating in the region wishing to exploit vulnerable children. We welcome the French Government’s recent decision to deploy more police to the region and to continue to provide alternative accommodation for migrants elsewhere in France.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 21/11/2017 17:26:15 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

784952

registered interest
date	06/11/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her Department manages the Dubs scheme for child refugees; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	111663
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2017 answer text <p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We remain committed to transferring unaccompanied children from Europe under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 up to the specified number of 480. We are working closely with Member States, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NGO partners to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. If it is determined that transfer to the UK is in the child’s best interests, a referral will be made under the National Transfer Scheme for a placement with a local authority in the UK. Transfers are ongoing.</p><p>However, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French government. As I set out in the Backbench Business debate of 2 November, the French authorities have in recent weeks established additional welcome centres to those already in place across the country. Four new centres have recently opened, away from the juxtaposed ports, where those wishing to claim asylum will be supported through the asylum process. There is regular transportation provided to these centres. It is vital that children claim asylum in France; that is the fastest route to safety.</p><p>According to Eurostat data, 63,300 unaccompanied children claimed asylum in the EU in 2016:</p><p><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290" target="_blank">http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 111669 question first answered 13/11/2017 17:54:02 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

784966

registered interest
date	06/11/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to use data on identities and current whereabouts gathered from children in the Jungle refugee camp in Calais before its demolition; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	111669
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2017 answer text <p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We remain committed to transferring unaccompanied children from Europe under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 up to the specified number of 480. We are working closely with Member States, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NGO partners to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. If it is determined that transfer to the UK is in the child’s best interests, a referral will be made under the National Transfer Scheme for a placement with a local authority in the UK. Transfers are ongoing.</p><p>However, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French government. As I set out in the Backbench Business debate of 2 November, the French authorities have in recent weeks established additional welcome centres to those already in place across the country. Four new centres have recently opened, away from the juxtaposed ports, where those wishing to claim asylum will be supported through the asylum process. There is regular transportation provided to these centres. It is vital that children claim asylum in France; that is the fastest route to safety.</p><p>According to Eurostat data, 63,300 unaccompanied children claimed asylum in the EU in 2016:</p><p><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290" target="_blank">http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 111663 question first answered 13/11/2017 17:54:02 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

783222

registered interest
date	03/11/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	British Nationality: Assessments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants (a) took and (b) failed the Life in the UK test in each year since its introduction.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	111389
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2017 answer text <p>This information is published quarterly here:</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data</a></p><p> </p><p>On the tab: Temporary and Permanent Migration Data</p><p> </p><p>In summary:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Tests Taken</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Tests Failed</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>7,398</p></td><td><p>2,149</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>155,879</p></td><td><p>50,476</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>308,126</p></td><td><p>93,421</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>248,934</p></td><td><p>70,109</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>198,656</p></td><td><p>50,820</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>183,562</p></td><td><p>48,919</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>179,849</p></td><td><p>41,205</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>151,036</p></td><td><p>22,327</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>152,457</p></td><td><p>35,332</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>165,738</p></td><td><p>64,780</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>174,923</p></td><td><p>68,393</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>133,490</p></td><td><p>47,312</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017 *</p></td><td><p>65,946</p></td><td><p>21,563</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>* 2017 up to 30 June in line with published data.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 13/11/2017 17:48:33 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

780577

registered interest
date	30/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that unaccompanied child asylum seekers in France eligible to care in the UK under the (a) Dubs Amendment and (b) Dublin III Regulations are aware of their rights.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	110237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2017 answer text <p>In 2016, we transferred over 900 unaccompanied children to the UK from Europe, including more than 750 from France. However, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French authorities. It is vital that children claim asylum in France rather than risking their lives by attempting to enter the UK illegally. That is the fastest route to safety.</p><p> </p><p>The Dublin III Regulation allows unaccompanied children who have claimed asylum in another Member State to be transferred here to have their asylum claim assessed if they have a qualifying family member legally present in the UK and transfer would be in their best interests. We continue to work closely with France, other EU Member States and partners to ensure the timely and efficient operation of the Dublin III Regulation, including through regular dialogue and meetings.</p><p> </p><p>We are fully committed to delivering our commitment to transfer the specified number of 480 children under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016. As set out in the published guidance, it is for France to refer children to the UK. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States, including France, have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Over 200 children are already here, including transfers this year from France. More eligible children will be transferred from Europe under the scheme in due course.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 14/11/2017 15:11:38 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778828

registered interest
date	27/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing more localised administration of the Dubs Scheme based in the regions and constituent parts of the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	110042
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2017 answer text <p>The Home Office works closely with local authorities across Great Britain through regional Strategic Migration Partnerships to ensure all unaccompanied children arriving here receive the care and support they need. We encourage local authorities to offer suitable placements, regardless of the child’s route of arrival.</p><p>The National Transfer Scheme for unaccompanied children is already based on a regional model and was established to promote a fairer distribution of caring responsibilities across the country in a way that protects the best interests of all children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 01/11/2017 11:24:42 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778245

registered interest
date	26/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to improve arrangements for the (a) registration and (b) transfer of refugee children to the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 109802 109862 question first answered 31/10/2017 17:16:44 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778246

registered interest
date	26/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to broaden the criteria for vulnerability under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109862
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 109802 109861 question first answered 31/10/2017 17:16:44 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778249

registered interest
date	26/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of multi-agency intelligence-sharing to identify the needs of unaccompanied child refugees in Europe.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109802
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 109861 109862 question first answered 31/10/2017 17:16:44 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

777004

registered interest
date	24/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: France
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will ensure that all refugees in France refused transfer to the UK are informed that their application for transfer has been refused.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109449
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2017 answer text <p>The UK’s international obligations do not extend to considering applications to transfer refugee status made abroad and there is no provision in the Immigration Rules for someone to be given permission to travel to the UK for that purpose.</p><p>Under the terms of the European Agreement on the Transfer of Responsibility for Refugees (EATRR), we consider applications for transfer of refugee status from those who have been lawfully resident in the UK for at least two years, providing the country which recognised the applicant as a refugee has ratified the EATRR.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 30/10/2017 07:15:55 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms