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947532

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when, and on what grounds, they decided not to seek a death penalty assurance in the cases of British ISIS operatives, Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh; and why the approval of Parliament was not sought before this decision was made.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9827
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2018 answer text <p>After careful and considered advice, the Home Secretary took the decision not to seek a death penalty assurance in this case in June 2018 in accordance with the Government’s Overseas, Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Guidance which requires an assessment of both human rights and death penalty risks.</p><p>The OSJA guidance, which has been in existence since 2011, permits the provision of assistance, without obtaining assurances, where there are strong reasons for doing so and sets out the process for making that decision which does not involve a role for Parliament:</p><p>“Ministers should be consulted to determine whether, given the specific circumstances of the case, we should nevertheless provide assistance.”</p><p>Following the detention of these individuals the central concern was, and remains, the real prospect that if legal assistance was not offered to the US authorities without conditions, then they would not face criminal trial.</p><p>Given the legal challenge that is currently underway, it is inappropriate to say more about this specific case.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 09/10/2018 16:42:12 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1246877

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: Hong Kong
	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 proposal for a new charter city in the north of England for persons with Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) status arriving in the UK; and if they have not made such an assessment, what plans they have to do so.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9700
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2020 answer text <p>There are currently no plans with regards to a new charter city in North of England for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) citizens arriving in the UK.</p><p>We are working across Government to ensure appropriate plans are in place for when the route opens.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 10/11/2020 13:53:18 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1246876

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British Nationality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British Nationals (Overseas) can include any years they have spent residing in the UK under a Tier 4 or Tier 5 visa towards the residency criteria in an application for indefinite leave to remain under the new pathway to citizenship.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9699
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2020 answer text <p>Under the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) Visa route, individuals will be able to apply for settlement, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, after five years in the UK, subject to meeting the necessary requirements. Time previously spent in the UK on another route to settlement will count towards the five years.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 10/11/2020 13:48:00 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1654100

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Undocumented Migrants: English Channel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of children arriving in the UK on small boats of whom they have lost track; what steps they have taken to identify their whereabouts; and what steps they have taken to ensure that other children do not go missing.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9425
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2023 answer text <p>The data requested cannot be provided as it comes from live operational databases that have not been quality assured.</p><p>All asylum seekers, including children, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children, a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army.</p><p>There has been a significant increase in the numbers of young people making unnecessary and dangerous journeys to the UK. The Home Office has had no alternative but to temporarily use hotels in order to give some unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) emergency accommodation and support while permanent accommodation with a local authority is identified.</p><p>We are determined to end the use of hotels for these young people and Home Office officials work tirelessly with local authorities to move children into care placements through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS).</p><p>The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of children leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.</p><p>The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth grouped question UIN HL9424 question first answered 31/07/2023 11:31:33 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1654099

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Undocumented Migrants: English Channel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many children who arrived in the UK on small boats they have accommodated in each of the last five years; what steps they have taken to ensure their safety and security; what assessment they have made of the (1) safety, (2) security, and (3) safeguarding, measures put in place for those children; and how any issues identified have been addressed.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9424
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2023 answer text <p>The data requested cannot be provided as it comes from live operational databases that have not been quality assured.</p><p>All asylum seekers, including children, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children, a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army.</p><p>There has been a significant increase in the numbers of young people making unnecessary and dangerous journeys to the UK. The Home Office has had no alternative but to temporarily use hotels in order to give some unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) emergency accommodation and support while permanent accommodation with a local authority is identified.</p><p>We are determined to end the use of hotels for these young people and Home Office officials work tirelessly with local authorities to move children into care placements through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS).</p><p>The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of children leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.</p><p>The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth grouped question UIN HL9425 question first answered 31/07/2023 11:31:33 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1653697

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British National (Overseas): Hong Kong
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed increase in visa and immigration health surcharge fees on Hong Kong families seeking British National (Overseas) visas; what are the current fees; and what further plans they have to change those arrangements.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9384
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2023 answer text <p>The Home Office is increasing application fees across a range of immigration and nationality routes, including for people coming to live, work and study in the UK. Increasing application fees, together with the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), in this way could raise more than £1 billion, helping to fund vital services and allowing wider funding to be prioritised for public sector pay awards.</p><p>We will lay regulations in the Autumn to amend the immigration and nationality fee and IHS levels and set out which immigration routes are impacted.</p><p>The current application fees for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route are set out here:</p><p>UK visa fees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</p><p>The current levels of IHS are set out here:</p><p>Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: How much you have to pay - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 27/07/2023 11:46:22 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth attachment 1 file name HO Immigration and Nationality Fees June 2023.pdf title UK Visa Fees
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1653692

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Hong Kong
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, given the recent arrest warrants and bounties for exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, what plans they have to expedite the asylum applications of former Hong Kong elected district councillors.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9379
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2023 answer text <p>The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it. All asylum claims are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with published policy including those raised by Hong Kong nationals.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 27/07/2023 11:47:15 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1244931

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British Nationality: Fees and Charges
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 19 October (HL Deb, cols 1272–5), in how many instances citizenship fees were waived during the last twelve months for which figures are available; how many of those waivers involved children; and what plans they have to undertake a children’s best interest assessment of their policy on citizenship fees.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2020 answer text <p>There are no general waivers that apply to citizenship applications. There is however, a specific waiver which allows for a child who would have become a British citizen but for the fact that the mother was married to someone other than the child’s biological father at the time of the birth, to apply to register as a British citizen without needing to pay a fee.</p><p>There are a number of exceptions to application fees for leave to remain in the United Kingdom which protect the most vulnerable, such as for young people who are in the care of a local authority.</p><p>Citizenship registration fees are the subject of current litigation. While the court case is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on next steps.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 03/11/2020 15:46:13 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1243589

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Uyghurs: China
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 14 October (HL8617), what prosecutions for breaches of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, in connection with Uighur slave labour, are either under way or being prepared; what assessment they have made of the United States' Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act; and what plans, if any, they have to introduce similar rules as contained in that Act on imports from China.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9168
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2020 answer text <p>Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires certain businesses with a turnover of £36m or more, equating to approximately 16,000 businesses, to report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.</p><p>The prevalence of modern slavery and complexity of global supply chains means that it is highly unlikely that any company is immune from the risks of modern slavery. Section 54 therefore does not require organisations to certify that their global supply chains are ‘slavery free’ or that the Government verifies the content of modern slavery statements.</p><p>The Government continues to strengthen its approach and following an Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act, the Home Office ran a public consultation on a range of proposals to strengthen Section 54. On 22 September 2020, the Government published its response to this consultation and announced plans to strengthen the Act and develop options for civil penalties for non-compliance in line with the ongoing development of the Single Enforcement Body for employment rights. The Government has committed to implementing these changes when parliamentary time allows.</p><p>The Government has serious concerns about the situation in Xinjiang, with credible reports of the use of forced labour. It has always been the case that, where we have concerns, we raise them, as we did on this issue at the UN Third Committee on 6 October.</p><p>We advise businesses with supply chain links in Xinjiang to conduct appropriate due diligence to satisfy themselves that their activities do not support, or risk being seen to be supporting, any human rights violations or abuses.</p><p>We do not currently have plans to ban imports from Xinjiang.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 28/10/2020 14:45:56 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1242268

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have planned any events or activities to mark the UK Anti-Slavery Day 2020; and whether they will support the passage of the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill through Parliament.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL9004
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>This year we marked Anti-Slavery Day by publishing the UK Modern Slavery Annual Report 2020, which provides an update on work undertaken over the last year to tackle the scourge of modern slavery. Minister Atkins hosted a virtual roundtable event with First Responder organisations to hear about best practice and the key challenges First Responders face. A wide range of stakeholder events around October 18 raised awareness of modern slavery, and the work underway to tackle it.</p><p><strong>Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill:</strong></p><p>The Government is committed to identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery and has recently established an ambitious programme to transform our system of victim identification and support. As part of this, we are looking closely at the legislative framework in this area.</p><p>The Government does not, however, support the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill in its current form and has different proposals for supporting victims based on a more individualised understanding of their cases and needs. Specifically, the Government does not agree that:</p><p>a. confirmed victims should be automatically granted leave to remain for 12 months. Immigration decisions for victims of modern slavery are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the individual circumstances of the case; nor</p><p>b. that entitling all confirmed victims to 12 months’ worth of support is the best approach. In 2019 the Government introduced a needs-based support system for confirmed victims of modern slavery. The Government recognises that all victims are individuals with their own personal recovery needs arising from their modern slavery experiences. The new needs-based assessment system has been developed to ensure that individual needs are considered and supported with a tailored move-on plan, rather than a blanket approach to victim support.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 26/10/2020 16:59:10 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool