The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2015-12-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the report by James Ewins of his review of the overseas domestic workers visa, and their response to it, before the Immigration Bill 2015 receives its second reading in this House.
Lord Bates
Mr Ewins’s report has been submitted to the Home Office and will be published shortly. The Government will announce its response to the report in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce the outcome of their review of their policy of returning to Afghanistan Afghan military interpreters who have sought asylum in the UK.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The policy on considering asylum claims is not under review. We carefully consider all asylum claims made in the UK, including those made by former interpreters with our armed forces in Afghanistan, in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention. Those who demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution are normally granted protection and are not expected to return to their country.
Those who are found not to be in need of international protection are refused but have a right of appeal to the independent courts. Once all appeal rights are exhausted, they are required to leave the UK, failing which their removal will be enforced.
Separate schemes have existed since 2013 to assist interpreters previously employed by the UK Armed Forces. These apply only to those who have remained in Afghanistan and, in recognition of their unique and exceptional service or the danger interpreters may face because of their work, can lead to relocation to the UK if certain criteria are met.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-09-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the role Barnardo’s has played at Cedars family accommodation centre is replicated in Tinsley House by a similar organisation.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The Home Office has now launched a tender exercise in line with Government procurement policy to provide welfare services to families while they are accommodated at the new pre-departure accommodation.
The services to be provided through the new contract will replicate those currently carried out by Barnardo’s at Cedars. The contract will focus on maintaining the current high quality of provision. The tender process will assess the experience and capability of bidding organisations to ensure that the most suitable organisation is selected.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-09-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what training staff at Tinsley House have received to ensure that they are able to work with children.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The training requirements for Home Office, custodial service provider and NHS England staff at Tinsley House pre-departure accommodation are equivalent to those for Cedars.
As set out in Detention Services Order 19/2012 ‘Detention and Escorting Safeguarding Children policy’, updated in May 2016, all staff working with children receive suitable training, which must be at least equivalent to Tier 1 of the Home Office ‘Keeping Children Safe’.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-09-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children subject to immigration control are not separated from their family or guardian during the process unless there are safeguarding or welfare concerns.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
For immigration purposes children may only be separated from their parents where it is necessary and proportionate to do so and after having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the children’s welfare.
Decisions on family separations are taken in line with published guidance in the Home Office Enforcement Instructions and Guidance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/removal-actions
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-09-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether pre-departure accommodation at Tinsley House will be equipped for families with children and will provide facilities for children to a similar level as those at Cedars family accommodation centre; and when Tinsley House will be ready for use.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Tinsley House is currently under going refurbishment. This includes the facilities identified for the new pre-departure accommodation. The apartment based facilities will be similar to those provided at Cedars family accommodation centre.
These facilities will include a children’s play area in the family reception area; a domestic kitchen to allow families to cook for themselves; and improvements to the outside courtyard and the separate entrance to the proposed pre departure accommodation.
The important assistance to families preparing to return to their home country, provided at Cedars, will remain in place at the new pre-departure accommodation. Cedars will remain open to enable a managed transition to the new location to take place, and Barnardo’s will continue to provide welfare support at Cedars. The timetable for the opening of pre-departure accommodation at Tinsley House is still being finalised.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-09-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to put in place a specialist escort team to deal exclusively with family returns.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Specialist family escort teams were introduced in 2014 and are part of the family returns removal process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-09-09.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have commenced negotiations for the disposal of the Cedars family accommodation centre property.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
On 21 July 2016, the Government announced its decision to close the Cedars pre-departure accommodation facility. The Cedars property is held on a leasehold basis. We have not yet commenced formal discussions with the landlord over the future of the site.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2016-10-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are aware of the presence of British citizens, particularly British children, in the La Linière refugee camp outside Dunkirk.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The Government is not aware of any British citizens, including children, residing in the La Linière migrant camp.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hamwee on 2015-02-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether representatives from the entertainment industry have been consulted on proposed changes to the rules and guidance relating to visitor visas to the United Kingdom.
Lord Bates
We consulted with a wide range of sectors on our proposals to streamline the visitor routes and produce new, clearer Immigration Rules and guidance for visitors. These included business groups, tourism bodies and representatives from the arts and creative sectors which included organisations that work in the entertainment industry.
The new Immigration Rules for visitors will be laid in Parliament on 26 February and will come into force in April. More details will be available then.