Tag: David Hanson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the statement of 24 June 2014, Official Report, column 206, on student visas, how many students wrongly awarded language certificates (a) remain in the UK, (b) have an address known to her Department and (c) have been deported.

James Brokenshire

As I stated on 24 June in my statement to Parliament, the Home Office will provide regular updates to the House on progress with work to remove these students and on further information we receive from ETS.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the statement of 24 June 2014, Official Report, column 206, on student visas, what due diligence tests her Department undertook on the Educational Testing Service prior to awarding the company a contract for delivering language tests for visa applications.

James Brokenshire

The licence with Secure English Language Testing providers is clear that
providers must put measures in place to combat abuse and any concerns regarding
fraud or abuse should be reported to the Home Office. All third-party service
providers, whether they are employers, education establishments or test
providers, must take their obligations seriously or face the removal of their
licence to work with us.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the statement of 24 June 2014, Official Report, column 206, on student visas, whether she is seeking financial compensation from the Educational Testing Service.

James Brokenshire

Investigations are on-going and all potential remedies are being pursued.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for emergency travel documents for children have been received by the Passport Office since 16 June 2014.

James Brokenshire

As at 6 July 2014, 151 emergency travel documents (ETDs) have been issued to
children free of charge as a result of the measures announced by the Home
Secretary on 12 June 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passports have been issued under the Government’s new passport fast-tracked free policy since that policy came into effect.

James Brokenshire

As of 13 July 2014, 12,325 passports have been fast-tracked as a result of the
measures announced by the Home Secretary to the House of Commons on 12 June
2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications by overseas-based British citizens for the extension of an existing passport for one year have been received by the Passport Office since her recent announcement on changes in passport policy.

James Brokenshire

As of 13 July 2014, 1,721 applications by overseas-based British citizens for
the extension of an existing passport for one year have been received by the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Statement of 24 June 2014, Official Report, column 209W, on student visas, what the projected cost in 2014-15 is of the student dedicated helpline; how many staff will be employed on that helpline; and what estimate she has made of the number of calls that helpline will receive.

James Brokenshire

The number of calls the student helpline will receive will be dependent on the
demand from individual students.

Ten members of staff can currently be deployed on the student helpline,
depending on the demand, and additional trained staff are ready for
redeployment should the volume of calls increase.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 223119, how many times the Minister-led working group set up to identify evidence of poor practice in the park homes sector has met to date; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis

The working group held its first meeting on 10 February and agreed its terms of reference and membership. The next meeting will be held in March.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received from local authorities within Compass asylum contract areas on the (a) suitability of accommodation for asylum seekers provided by Compass, (b) overcrowding in that accommodation, (c) the need for local authorities to be notified when asylum seekers became resident there and (d) additional services required from local authorities when large numbers of asylum seekers move to an area.

James Brokenshire

COMPASS Accommodation providers must abide by specific standards, including rules on shared dwellings. The Home Office monitors the performance of the providers against quality and safety standards to ensure the suitability of accommodation provided for asylum seekers and works with providers to improve these where necessary. Poor performance by the providers can also have financial ramifications if they are found to be non-compliant.The Home Office has established working arrangements with all local authorities to consider the placement of asylum seekers in each area to ensure minimal impact on services and community cohesion. Local authorities are notified of all asylum seekers moving into their area, and they have an obligation to perform a duty of care for all their residents regarding health, social services and schooling for minors. In addition Home Office has appointed three Service Delivery Managers (SDM) to work in partnership with the COMPASS providers and external stakeholders, principally local authorities. The role of the SDM is to arbitrate in difficulties between providers and local authorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her contribution of 12 June 2014, Official Report, column 693, which countries have agreed to accept the one year extension passports to be issued to UK citizens living abroad.

James Brokenshire

The list of countries that will accept British passports extended by 12 months
is set out out on the .GOV.UK website and can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-countries-that-will-accept-pa
ssports-extended-by-12-months.
The following table sets out the current list of countries which have already agreed to
accept the extended British passports.
The list is updated on a daily basis.