Live Home Office Questions House of Commons

THE SPEAKER: Order. Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home

Department, Mr Even Mearns. Number 1, Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker,

I'm in regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Educ`tion on

all aspects of international students. We'll be launching a

consultation on changes to the non-EU work and study migration

routes and I would encouragd all interested parties to participate.

Mr Speaker, the Government has previously suggested that tdns of

thousands of international students break the terms of their visa by

overstaying. But we also know that international students contribute

almost ?11 billion to the UK economy and make up about 30% of

universities' revenues from non EU international students. Analysis

conducted by her own departlent shows that only 1% of international

students break the terms of their visa arrangements, so will the

Secretary of State confirm that this is the case, that this is the case,

the 1%, and if so, what steps will they take to encourage more

international students, who are a benefit to our economy, to our you

EU universities and particularly universities in placis like the

North East of England? I th`nk the honourable gentleman for th`t

question. He is right, studdnt immigration plays an import`nt role,

supporting our world class university system as well as being

part of the great British economy in terms of exports. Had at thd

referring to very encouraging work from my department about getting a

more pro sighs hold on the number of overstayers we have. That work is at

earn stage. We hope it will be able to give us more confidence `bout who

leaves as well as who arrivds. Isn't it the case that post Brexit we can

design a student visa questhon that will attract the best and brightest

from around the world, from within the EU and outside the EU whilst at

the same time regularising the treatment of English students and EU

students in Scotland, which is presently different? Well, H can

reassure my honourable friend that our policy will remain post Brexit

and pre-Brexit as it is, whhch is to encourage the brightest and the best

to come to this country, whdre they contribute to our economy and to our

cultural life. Barely a fortnight ago the Chancellor told the Treasury

committee that policy should be guided by public opinion in regards

to treatment of internation`l students and the visa systel. Does

she agree with the Chancellor and if so will she let mon sense and

retrail by removing the net cap .. I agree with the Chancellor that

international students make an incredibly important contribution to

our economy and to our culttral life. In terms of whether students

should be part of the immigration statistics, they are part of the ONS

stated statistics. It is not for me to change that arrangement. In my

experience when I was doing another job, I found that when I was setting

up broadcasting stations, whether it be in New York City or Gaboren

Botswana it often helped if I was dealing with people educated in

Britain. Isn't the point th`t we, the United Kingdom, should decide

who should come into the Unhted Kingdom or not, and not Brussels?

And that will be the case after Brexit. I agree with my howdver on

the point that every student who has studied here can become an hmportant

ambassador for this country internationally. That's an hmportant

part of the soft power of this country, extending our infltence.

International students are welcome now. We want to continue to attract

the best and the brightest `nd we'll continue to do that after wd leave

the European Union. Mr Speaker, Scottish business, the tradd unions,

the educational sector and dvery political party in the Scottish

Parliament, including the Conservative and Unionist P`rty

agree that Scotland needs to retain, needs to return of the post study

route to allow talented students to remain and contribute to thd

Scottish economy. Similar vhews are shared by the APPG on migration the

Home Affairs Committee, the Scottish affairs Select Committee, the House

of Lords science and technology cold and the commission on UK exports.

Can the Home Secretary expl`in which organisations advised against the

return of the scheme and indeed where there any who gave such

advice? I would say to the honourable and learned lady we think

we've got the right balance in terms of welcoming students, the brightest

and the best to this countrx, and allowing them to stay where they can

get a graduate-level job. Wd have to ensure that that system is fair is

fair to attracting the people to some of our best universitids, and

doesn't allow people to overstay, where they don't have

graduate-related job. I hopd she will indulge me if I write to her

about the advice that we received. I'm interested to know what advice

was received, but the truth of the matter is compared to countries such

as Canada and New Zealand, what the UK Government is offering students

in Scotland is pathetic. Isn't the real reason the Home Office is pick

on our universities in Scotland because of the Prime Ministdr's

blinkered pursuit of her unrealistic net migration target? Isn't it time

to remove students from that target and recognise that one size fits all

immigration policies are nehther necessary nor desirable for Scotland

and the rest of the UK? I don't share the honourable lady's view. I

think our figures are prettx clear. When we talk about net immigration

figures they are of course taking account of students coming hn and

students coming out. So I think we have the right way of the mdasuring

the amount of students that come. In I don't think it does inhibht our

appeal to international students, because the fact is they do want to

come and study in the UK. The UK has two of the top ten universities in

the world and long may that continue. The Home Secretarx's aware

obviously that international students contribute over ?7 billion

to the UK economy and have `nd receive 60% approval ratings in the

polls too. Given these figures in a post Brexit world isn't it clear we

should be splitting up thesd immigration figures to bettdr

communicate to the public what UK immigration looks like? Will she

meet with me and colleagues to discuss this issue? I'm alw`ys

delighted to meet with my honourable friend. There has been a lot of

airing of this issue of how the breakdown of immigration figures is.

I think there's a reasonabld amount of clarity on which part ard

students and which part isn't. Thank you Mr Speaker, I think we `ll agree

on all sides of the House that it is a good I think that that

international students come here to study, so can she say something

about how welcome they feel when hate crimes against BAME people

those from the ethnic minorhties, went up 41% in the month after

Brexit and many students report that they are told to go home by people

in our country when they ard seen on our streets. Shouldn't we m`ke our

country more welcoming and deal with this poet Brexit problem? I

wholeheartedly agree with the honourable lady and join me in

spreading the word that international students are welcome

here. There should be no hate crime here. That's why I launched my

campaign in July, I can givd reassurance that that unwelcome

spike in hate crime has now fallen off. To return to the questhons from

the Member for Ilford north, as we know, international students

contribute ?7 billion to export earnings, support 137 jobs `cross

all regions of the UK, and help to make us a world-leader in the

international knowledge economy Does she accept that we are not

persuaded by her arguments not to remove international students from

migrant totals? And will shd undertake to look at the issue

again? I think that the right honourable lady and I are in danger

of violently agreeing on thd benefit of international students to the

economy and to this country in general. However I think shd is

tilting at the wrong windmill in terms of whether international

students are part of the imligration figures or not. This is a ndt

figure, so it does take into account the people who come and the people

who go. I think she may be exaggerating the impact she would

expect from the removal of them Number 2, Sir.

Mr Speaker... 1984. I have today issued a written ministerial

statement setting out my decision. I have concluded that there is no case

for either a statutory inquhry or an independent review. This is an

astonishing and frankly shaleful decision by the Government. They've

led the families up the garden path for the last two years. Does she not

understand that the disinfecting light of a inquiry is the only thing

that will give those communhties and those families the confidence that

they need back in the South Yorkshire Police force? I would urge

the honourable gentleman not to leap to anger quite so quickly. This

Government has taken the tile, has looked at the documents. I have been

in post for three months. Vdry met with the families. I have mdt with

the campaigning MPs. The fact that I have reached a different decision to

the one that he holds doesn't mean that it is anyway dishonour`ble

This is a difficult decision to make. Very made it considerhng all

the facts. And I believe it's the right one. Mr Speaker, once again

the name South Yorkshire Police does besmirch the brave officers on front

line. I have raised on several occasions, will my right honourable

friend along with the Polichng Minister meet to have a serhous

discussion about South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Police can mdrge to

become Yorkshire police so that the name South Yorkshire Police doesn't

do ane justice to the officdrs who are bravely putting their lhves on

the line every day? I thank my honourable friend for this puestion.

He has raised this question with me before. I agree that the Policing

Minister will meet with him to discuss it. South Yorkshire Police

is under new leadership and I am hopeful it can make good progress.

In addition to that my right honourable friend the Polichng

Minister spoke to the PCC in order to explain the decision the

Government has come to. Is the Home Secretary aware that her

predecessor made it clear to my right honourable friend somd months

ago that there would be an dnquiry into Orgreave, so it's not really a

decision that is any differdnt from the one that we suspected

beforehand? Why is it that the government, and it appears to be the

government, have now taken ` decision which is contrary to the

one that the previous Home Secretary, now the Prime Minister,

gave in answer to my right honourable friend several months

ago? I can tell the honourable gentleman that I have taken this

very seriously, I have spokdn to the former Home Secretary about the

decision and I have ensured that all the matters and the papers were

carefully considered. We have taken our time to arrive at this decision.

There was no commitment madd before, only a willingness to look `t all

the evidence. Perhaps he cotld acknowledge a willingness that was

not taken by the Labour govdrnment, in order to ensure that the right

decision is taken after absorbing all the information. I welcome the

decision of the Secretary of State because whilst public enquiries can

in some instances be successful too often they take huge amounts of

money, they take several ye`rs and they don't answer the questhon they

have been asked. I thank my right honourable friend to that point and

in a way the easier politic`l decision would have been to the

government to agree to an enquiry but I cannot see that it is in the

public interest, given the substantial changes to polices that

have taken place in 1984. Ghven that the IPCC found evidence of perjury

and perversion of the coursd of justice, and given that in the last

month, new evidence has emerged from former police officers who were at

Orgreave of orchestrated violence and the mass Manufacturer police

statements, aren't we right in concluding that the establishment

stitch up that she has just announced today is nothing lore than

a nakedly political act? No, the right honourable gentleman hs

entirely wrong. He chooses to politicise it where there is none

here. I had a meeting, as hd knows with the campaign group, we had a

frank exchange of information about it but the fact is just bec`use he

disagrees with the decision I have made is not mean that it is the

wrong decision at all. I have made it honestly based on the evhdence.

If the government has deciddd against a public enquiry, I wonder

whether we could not considdr the house actually having the courage to

have a select committee enqtiry I say this because I can understand

the government is GBS about having another enquiry, but if the

government could free an ad hoc select committee, and we cotld

gather a proper select commhttee under the senior member of the

house, interview all witnesses, including ministers, we could deal

with this issue much cheaper than a public enquiry. It is of a very

interesting suggestion from my honourable friend. I believd that

sort of setup would be a matter for the house but I'm sure that other

select committees have heard your suggestion and may indeed t`ke up

the opportunity themselves. There will be the concern across South

Yorkshire have the decision the Home Secretary has made, so can H ask

specifically if she will medt with the Orgreave truth and justhce

campaign to discuss this matter further? Have spoken to the head of

the Orgreave truth and justhce committee this morning and H'm not

surprised she was very disappointed. I set out my reasons and I have

written her and the campaign group a 6-page letter. I would perh`ps

suggest to the honourable gdntleman that they have a chance to do just

that before they set up the meeting. I don't think the Home Secrdtary

fully understands how disappointed and let down the Orgreave f`mily

campaigners will be by her decision. A 6-page letter doesn't compensate

for the violence and injusthce that occurred at Orgreave so manx years

ago. We know the South Yorkshire Police lied about what happdned at

Hillsborough yet only five xears earlier the same South Yorkshire

Police, many of the same colmanders, behaved in a very similar w`y at

Orgreave. The Orgreave families and campaigners need the same jtstice as

Hillsborough had. They need the same type of independent enquiry to

establish the truth. I would respectfully say to the right

honourable lady that the Hillsborough situation was puite

afferent to Orgreave. 96 people died. It was right that we had an

enquiry that analysed exactly what happened on the day. In this

situation in Orgreave there were no miscarriages of justice. Thdre were

no deaths. There were no convictions. The right honotrable

lady should be aware. Therefore it doesn't merit the same level of

status as a public enquiry, as was required to Hillsborough. Thank you,

Mr Speaker. As the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have madd clear,

law enforcement cooperation with European partners will conthnue

after the UK leaves the EU. We will do what is necessary to keep people

say. At the Home Office we `re exploit oil options for cooperation,

once UK has left the EU but it is currently too early to spectlate on

what future arrangements might look like. Can I press the minister, has

the government decided whether they will seek to retain the European

arrest warrant after we leave the EU and has the Home Secretary had some

stern words with the Brexit secretary who voted against it only

two years ago, and has the government decided to sign tp to the

new Europol regulations and if not when are they going to do that,

because if they missed the deadline of January there could be some

severe implications for our membership and what would they be? I

would say to the honourable lady that the decision around whdther we

opt in to further Europol options will be announced the Parli`ment

shortly. We are giving good consideration of where we are on

that. With regards to extradition process across member states, but I

would not presume what would Lord would not be in the agreement. We

are in the early days of negotiation and we will go over that ovdr the

early period of Brexit. Somdone to water down the referendum rdsult and

drag us back into the Europdan Union if not necessarily by name, would he

not agree that cooperation on security, particularly cross-border

security, is important and when we take back control it is important we

make sure we keep that very important cooperation that keeps us

safe and secure? My honourable friend makes a very good pohnt. Our

membership of Europol continues as a strong continuing member, which of

course was there before the EU institution was there, and we are

very clear that our cooperation of member states and our deterlination

to ensure the security and protection of people in this country

will continue when we are no longer a member of the. After Paris metro

bombing in 1995, eight took him years to extradite Rashid R`nda from

the UK. After the London Tube bombings in 2005, it took jtst 6

days to extradite Hussein Alant from Italy to the UK. The differdnce in

bringing murderous terrorist justice was big European arrest warrant I

cannot believe he will not guarantee that, however Brexit is negotiated

by this government, there is any question whatsoever in ending our

commitment to the European `rrest warrant. Can he please assure this

has today he will guarantee that the European arrest warrant will

continue? I thank the honourable lady for trying to tempt me into

prejudging what other member countries of the EU may dechde to

agree to as part of negotiations. We will be negotiating and I c`n

guarantee we will put the sdcurity detection of people in this country

absolutely first and foremost. This government is going further than any

before to protect individuals and communities from fraud throtgh the

joint fraud task force and we ensure the most vulnerable people hn our

society are protected. Individual should also be supported to protect

themselves. Many cyber attacks could be defeated by simple best practice.

The right honourable lady is seeking to group this with number sdven As

the Home Secretary will be well aware, economic crime in Sussex is

disproportionately targeted at the elderly. My constituency has one of

the highest rates of dementha in the UK. If the number of pubs and bars

can influence the police funding formula, could the Minister consider

using rates of dementia in the formula to the same degree? I am

grateful for the suggestion, he and I share the same county of Dast

Sussex, the third highest county for having the over 80s, so I al

familiar with the problem hd has highlighted. We are redoing the

police formula funding again and I will take his suggestion into

consideration. Concerns by ly constituents in Cardiff abott

criminal activity within thd financial system. With the criminal

finances Bill going through this house, will my right honour`ble

friend update us on how we `re cracking down on these quibbles The

UK is in fact one of the best places to do business but had to long the

process of overseas organisdd corruption has been able to move

through the UK with considerable impunity. Significantly the bill

will introduce new offences and measures to allow us to go `fter the

money, the middlemen and thd crime barons themselves. Several of mine

constituents have fallen fotl to the crime of bowling.

Of the crime of phishing. I thank my honourable friend for his qtestion

and he is right to raise thhs issue. The new nationwide fraud prdvention

campaign take five, which is take five minutes to consider thd motives

when faced by cold calling can help people not be tricked in thd same

way as he has described. I will look at his suggestion as well. The

government's response includes law enforcement agencies taking action

against online offenders, ddveloping new capabilities to find and

safeguard victims and working with the internet industry to relove

illegal images. We have led the global response to online child

global expectation through the wee protect global alliance, working

with countries, companies and civil society is to develop a coordinated

response. I thank the Minister for that answer. Can she tell us how the

government is supporting a multi-agency approach to tackle

child exploitation issues. The child sexual exploitation responsd unit

ensures that local authorithes with concerns about CSC can draw on

support of specialist professionals. -- CS E. It is run by Barnardo s,

which will bring together bdst practice. Finally a new system of

multi-agency inspections ard being delivered, the first of which

focuses on children at risk of CSE. With the permission Mr Speaker I

will answer questions six and 1 on the order paper together. Wd are

taking robust action to tackle radicalisation online and to counter

the poisonous ideology promoted by extremists. In 2010, the Hole Office

and police set up the counterterrorism internet rdferral

unit to tackle and disrupt terrorist related material. The government is

also supporting community-b`sed initiatives to provide credhble

counter narratives. Can the Minister tell the house how much onlhne

material has been removed as part of this initiative? Since Febrtary

2010, the counterterrorism hnternet referral unit, which was first set

up in 2010, following referrals from the CTI internet companies have

removed 220,000 pieces of tdrrorist related. The Home Affairs Sdlect

Committee have now issued two sports calling on Twitter and Facebook to

take much tougher action on extremist material, much of which

bridges their own terms of tse. Would my honourable friend `gree

that social media companies should do much more to prevent and remove

this material voluntarily whthout the need for a request from the

police at the taxpayers expdnse I agree, and although industrx have

taken some positive steps to address the issue, the internet is still

being used to recruit, radicalise, insight and inspire.

The relationship continues to be successful. Going forward wd would

like to see internet companhes being more proactive and taking more of

the leading tackling the global threat.

Months ago Zac Davies in my constituency was sentenced to life

imprisonment following his `ttempt to behead an Asian citizen on a

random attack in a Tesco supermarket in my constituency. He was

radicalised on the internet by neo-Nazi material and

Hitler-worshipping material. Will the Minister focus on that hssue as

well as on his links to terrorism as well? The right honourable lember is

right and interestingly enotgh with the current Prevent strategx we are

seeing a growth in referrals on the far right. In some parts of the

country referrals to Prevent are above those that we are worried

about. What many see as a blow to the Government's Prevent scheme the

Muslim Council of Britain h`ve announced they'll be setting up

their own anti-radicalisation programme. The Home Secretary

appears to be losing the confidence of Muslims. What is she intdnding to

do to reverse this loss of trust? I thank the honourable lady for her

question. She is absolutely wrong that the Prevent programme set up by

her Government in 2003 has lade considerable successes throtghout

the communities. I think we should reflect that Prevent is abott

safeguarding vulnerable people to being exploited and saving lany

people's lives across the country and abroad. I think to repe`t the

echo chamber of people saying this is about targeting one group or the

other is an absolute fallacx. Question 8, Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr

Speaker, the latest figures shows the reforms we've made to ctt abuse

along known EU visa routes hs working. There is more to do. As we

conduct our negotiations to leave the European Union it will be a

priority to retain more control of the numbers of people who come here

from Europe. Thank you Mr Speaker. Given that there is still some way

to go, how confident is my honourable friend that the leasures

taken by the Government will result in us meeting the target of reducing

net migration to the tens of thousands? And does he agred with me

that ending the free movement of people principle imposed on us by

the EU is essential if we are to stand any chance of meeting this

target? There is no doubt there s a challenging target but I personally

love a challenge. We are colmitted to bringing net migration down to

the turns out of thousands. We've taken significant steps to control

immigration. The UK's departure from the European Union will givd us

control over EU migration and we'll shortly be publishing consultation

document on further changes to non-EU work and study routes. My

constituent is awaiting an `ppeal in respect of a spouse visa

application. Response from the tribunal says the process whll take

15 weeks but it could be up to 8 months. Can he advise why appeals

are taking so long and why information given to applic`nts

doesn't reflect these delays in this is causing undue stress to

applicants and their loved ones I hope she will give me details. It is

absolutely right that we took measures to stamp out sham larriages

and other routes whereby people can use marriage as a way of getting a

fraudulent entry to UK. That does mean that some of the hoops people

have to jump through can be slightly smaller than before. Many of my

constituents would like to see illegal immigration stamped out as

well as monitoring migration. I was pleased to hear there is reports of

a jet stream turboprop pland brought in to patrol our borders We

certainly are determined to prevent illegal migration from whatdver

route it comes. That can be from people coming through the channel

crossings or through general aviation or maritime routes. We are

determined to clamp down on all of those. Mr Speaker, the policy to

limit migration is of coursd at odds with the promise we heard in the

referendum campaign from thd International Development Sdcretary,

that if we voted to leave, chefs from the subcontinent could have

their visa restrictions rel`xed to avoid a curry crisis. Was that

pledge of the same value as the money promised for the NHS on the

side of the bus, ie of the will never happen? Or will the Government

address the skills shortage to our economy rather than aping Ukip?

Well, I will certainly take no lessons from the party opposite

They were the party that allowed people to come in from outshde the

EU with no skills at all. Indeed search parties were sent out to

encourage mass migration. C`n I lay down a challenge to the

restaurateurs of this country, train their own people, train our people.

We have tremendous pant in the UK who would love to work in that

environment. We don't always need to bring people from the subcontinent.

Question 9. The Government has introduced a range of new offences

the, including the offence of coercive or controlling beh`viour.

Victims who experience behaviour that stops short of serious physical

violence but amounts to extreme psychological or emotional `buse can

bring their perpetrators to justice. Every police force has publhshed new

guidance. I thank the Minister for the answer, but in same sex

relationships and also in orthodox religious communities, domestic

violence is often underreported What more can be done to tr`in

police officers to support these victims and encourage them to come

forward? My right honourabld friend is quite right. Domestic abtse can

take many forms and affect `ll groups in society. New police

domestic abuse guidance explicitly captures the LGBT people max be

abused by their partners in specific ways connected to their sextal

orient ace or gender identity. The Home Office is encouraging ` charity

to run a dedicated national helpline to provide emotional and pr`ctical

support to LGBT people experiences Adam abuse. Mr Speaker, new reports

that nurses are three times more likely to be victims of doing abuse

than the general population. Will she speak to colleagues what the NHS

may need to do to support this group as an employer? I thank the

honourable lady for her question. The Government has a "zero

tolerance" policy to any sort of domestic abuse or violence. I will

certainly take up the honourable lady's recommendation of spdaking to

my colleagues this the Department of Health to see what more we can do to

prevent this awful crime happening to our much appreciated nurses.

Number Ten, Mr Speaker. The Government has been clear that it

wants to protect the status of EU nationals already living here. The

only circumstances in which that would not be possible are if British

citizens rights in European member states were not protected in return.

I'm grateful, Mr Speaker. Mx question was what estimate the

Secretary of State had made of the numbers, because on 10th October,

her colleague, the Secretarx of State for exiting the Europdan Union

said by the time we leave, five our six migrants will have or bd

entitled to indefinite leavd to remain. That's 2.5 million people.

Is that the policy of the Government? Mr Speaker, I c`n tell

the honourable gentleman th`t I saw these reports. They were based on

existing public research whhch estimates that around 80% of

irmigrants already here will have been residents in the UK for up to

five years by the start of the 019. It is too simplistic and too early

to reach definitive conclushons about the outcome when we do this.

Mr Speaker, there are EU nationals working, contributing, paying tax,

their children at school in every constituency in the UK. If ht is not

cynically using them as a b`rgaining chip, why on earth will she not do

the right thing and now that they will be allowed to stay in this

country? I would say to the honourable gentleman that in teens

the earlier question, the Prime Minister has already said that the

intevenlcts it is only so that we could ensure there's a reciprocal

arrangement that we've held become from that final commitment, which we

hope will be made. Number 10. Mr Speaker, we are clear and

documentary evidence of age is not available, criteria such as physical

appearance and demeanor are used to determine if a person is under 8.

This Does he agree with me this country

has always been compassionate and understanding towards children

fleeing persecution? Does hd also agree every young adult every 1 we

admit means one less child hn desperate need being allowed in And

he could extend checks to social media and university records to

ensure our generosity isn't abused? THE SPEAKER: My patience has been

abused. That was two questions rather than one. It is a safe and

lawful system is in place and ensure that the right safeguarding and

security checks are carried out Our focus remains that minors Ebolaible

to come hear are coming herd safely. The French have agreed to stpport

the children in safe places in France while we carry out essential

checks. Thank you Mr Speaker, the charities working with the children

in Calais are reporting first that the UK assessment and transfer

process has paused. And secondly that there are 1,500 childrdn and

teenagers being held in the container camp but without proper

water or food or without enough adults, social workers or youth

workers to look after them `nd to prevent tensions and violence

rising. Can he look into thhs and make sure the UK transfer sxstem is

restarted very quickly, and that the French urgently provide proper

protection and support for these very vulnerable young peopld? I

would certainly echo the pohnts she has made. These these are the

representations I've made. Our people are on the ground ensuring

that that's done. It is important as we continue to process thosd

children who are eligible to come here with be done in a safe

situation. The French are ddtermined to help us with that. Can wd focus

on the issue of the safety of children? As children are bding

transferred from the containers to specialist centres and they'll be

kept under the close supervhsion of NGOs and Home Office offici`ls? I

can give an assurance we ard working hard to identify children under

Dublin and those most vulnerable, particularly the children under 13

and those who may be vulner`ble to sexual exploitation are priority

ides under the amendment procedure. Bashir, 19, was trafficked to the UK

from Afghanistan after his father was murdered by the Taliban. I

understand he was to be removed from the country but that's been stopped.

Can he urgently intervene to stop this removal? While it will be

inappropriate to comment on individual cases I am aware of this

case and it is on my desk at the moment. Can I start by saying thank

you to the Home Secretary and the more to the dedication they've given

to this issue in recent weeks? Issue. I understand children are

being moved from containers to resettlement camps in Francd.

France. When will they be brought from there to here, any sense at

all? We are assisting with that transfer process and once those

children are in a place of safety away from the people traffickers who

would seek to ex pretty thel, we'll be able to carry that work out in a

more methodical way, in a m`tter of weeks. We know that there are 3

young girls some as young as 12 in the container part. Can he confirm

that the Home Office staff left the site on Saturday? When will they go

back and restart the rescue of these children to the UK? We must remember

at all times that the camp hs in France and we must work closely with

our colleagues in the French authorities. That's why we need to

work with them to ensure th`t children are removed from the

container camp into a place of safety, where they can be processed

in a more orderly way. Mr Speaker, while the House is raising so many

genuinely felt concerns abott the children in Calais, could I just

remind him that by far and `way the largest crisis involving chhldren in

the world at the moment is the situation in and around Syrha? Which

is, Mr Speaker, precisely why the Government are determined to

relocate 20,000 of the most vulnerable people from the camps in

Syria and 3,000 vulnerable children from the region which removds the

pull factor, which means th`t so many people have taken that

hazardous journey across thd Mediterranean and Aegean.

THE SPEAKER: Unlawyer-like brevity? Surely we should be working with the

authorities and the Governmdnt in France to ensure that we never again

see this sort of shambolic `nd shameful treatment that we saw last

week? With equal brevity, I agree. Can I reassure the Minister that on

this side of the House we do though that the camp is in France, but we

are weary of both French and British officials trying to pass thd buck

even at this late stage when desperate children's lives `re at

stake? We know that there are more than 1,000 young people currently in

the container compound at C`lais without proper supervision `nd the

help they need. The Minister has said that the assessment and

transport process has paused. Can he share with the House when the

assessment and transport process will begin again?

Thank you Mr Speaker. Recovdry from drug misuse remains at the heart of

our approach. More people are recovering from their dependency now

than in 2010 and the number of heroin and crack cocaine usdrs in

England has continued to fall, with the number falling below 300,00 for

the first time since 2011. We are developing a new drugs strategy with

other departments and key p`rtners which will be published soon. With

most drug services privatisdd across England and the last three xears,

those figures that the Minister has just quoted are fake, aren't they?

They are fake figures, outcomes are no longer being measured on a health

basis, are they? Can the Minister tell us what the outcome is

currently are when it comes to heroin treatment? I am gratdful for

the question. The decisions are likely made that the figures are far

from fake and they are independently reported. I would think as ` local

MP he would actually be prahsing his local services, because the latest

data I have is that people have to have quick referrals. 96% of people

who need access to treatment are receiving it within three d`ys. In

fact his local area has a rdally good track record of engaging with

people and making sure they don t drop out of treatment and h`ve good

success from those treatment programmes. Gratitude to thd

honourable gentleman is not always a commodity in plentiful supply. A

judge must consider various statutory bars to extradition, he

must be refused of the judgd finds it would be incompatible with the

person's human rights or an individual's physical or mental

condition, meaning it would be unjust war oppressive to extradite.

The Minister knows the law has changed and the Home Secret`ry can

no longer intervene. Where xoung people are on the autism spdctrum or

suffering from mental health challenges, can we make surd that

court officials, especially judges, understand those circumstances?

Particularly referring to the case of Larry Love. Without commdnting on

that particular case, I will be making a decision by mid-November.

He is right. They are the things that the judge needs to look at

Parliament voted on it not that long ago. Topical question number one.

Mr Speaker, in 2015 the moddrn slavery act gave new powers, which

must now be turned into restlts Progress is being made that there

are still much more to do, that is why on anti-slavery Day last week I

announced an 8.5 million fund to transform our domestic leasd

response, which will includd funding for over 50 additional analxsts

specialists and investigators. Last week at the Vatican I announced a

slavery innovation fund. Thd fund will support trial and test

innovative ways of tackling modern slavery. These funds reflect the

government's commitment to `pprehend the perpetrators and protect victims

of these terrible crimes and I look forward to the first meeting of the

task force this week. Leicester county council are looking `t how

they can hold unaccompanied asylum seeking children -- how thex can

help. What assurances can mx honourable friend give in providing

full reimbursement of costs incurred under the national transfer scheme?

I thank my honourable friend for his question and pay tribute to

Leicestershire County Counchl and will local authorities that have

stepped up and accepted unaccompanied children. I c`n assure

my honourable friend the government is committed to the care of

unaccompanied asylum seeking children. In July we increased the

rates. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are currently experiencing over a 3 %

cut to the Fire And Rescue Services funding. 10,000 jobs lost.

Firefighters on average carrying out over 100 rescues per day. Whth fewer

firefighters and fewer fire stations, the potential for slow

response could mean the loss of life. Now is the time to invest in

Fire and Rescue Service and stop the reckless cuts. Will the right

honourable Minister said th`t now is the time to prioritise saving lives

not money? I would like to take another Tunisia to express ly

sympathy with all those affdcted by the recent devastating fires we have

seen in Exeter, Birmingham, Doncaster and Cheshire. The

firefighters do save lives dvery day. I would say to the honourable

lady that she should bear in mind that authorities still have more

work they could do to reducd costs. They themselves will say thhs. I

have been talking with many over the last few weeks to recognise there is

a need to improve collaborative working. Also the bear in mhnd that

since 2010, fire authorities with non-reserves have managed to rise by

150%. There are still money turns -- to ensure they are finding future

savings. We have not covered rural crime and many farmers in mx

constituency are greatly concerned with becoming a victim of rtral

crime, so can I ask why on friend what we can do to keep their

businesses safe? I am very grateful to my honourable friend for raising

this really important subject. Absolutely crucial to support our

farmers, to ensure the UK m`intains a thriving farming industry. I

welcome the rural policing strategy that sets out the first's commitment

to work with a rule commitmdnt, and to enforce the law. The moddrn crime

prevention strategy publishdd supports this approach. You have

reported serious allegations of sexual assault by the most senior

lawyer on the child abuse enquiry, Ben Emmerson QC. No action was taken

until the 29th. Her predecessor hand-picked Mr Emerson for the

enquiry. Can she tell us whx it took so long for action to be taken, why

the investigation into his conduct was dropped, and why he is still

reportedly being paid ?1700 a day even though he now works on the

enquiry? I would say to the honourable lady that both mx right

honourable friend the Prime Minister and myself have set out what we knew

at the time and its relevance, and I would also say it is really

important that this enquiry continues. She asks questions which

are for the head of the inddpendent enquiry, it is essential for the

authenticity of this enquirx that it is held as independent. It hs not

run by the Home Office and that is an essential part of its integrity

and I would urge her to stop knocking the enquiry and st`rt

getting behind it. Thank yot, Mr Speaker. Essex Constabulary in Essex

County Fire and Rescue Servhce have a long track record of workhng

closely, and are seeking to do more of that in the future. What can my

right honourable friend's ddpartment do to support and encourage police

and fire to work more collaboratively in the future? My

honourable friend is right, we are doing work to living on our

manifesto pledge to the polhce and climb Bill, allowing Police and

Crime Commissioners to take governance of the fire authority and

it is also their stature jute surely figure collaboration. It is

important they work closely together.

Lewisham uses the London crhme prevention fund to employ officers

dedicated to working in a sdrious youth violence team. After @pril

2017, the funding levels ard not clear. How is the minister going to

ensure serious use of violence work is properly funded to delivdr at a

local level? The honourable lady makes reference to a point that is

actually part of the funding formula we do every year that will be done

after the Autumn Statement that this house will vote on in Febru`ry. She

should also be aware we havd announced delivering our manifesto

pledge that we will do a review of the police funding formula `nd I

have written to all police constables and crime commissioners

and engaging with all of thdm across the country. Police officers across

this nation to their bodies on the line when protecting us. 23,000

officers were assaulted last year, sentences do not appear to be acting

as a deterrent. Can ministers assure me that they are lazing with other

departments to challenge sentencing governments off guidelines? My

honourable friend makes a vdry important point, and we had a debate

about this just the week before last in this house. It is import`nt that

people know very clearly ard police officers should be respected. The

police by consent, something unique to our country that we should be

proud of. I am talking to colleagues in other departments and also about

how we prosecute, whether it is actually for a criminal offdnce for

using the police act. It is right that police officers should feel

respected and safe in their job Dungavel detention centre should

close but only as part of a brighter Orton wider plan.

Predeparture detention is or is a last resort, and we aim to linimise

the number of those kept in detention. The new facility at

Glasgow airport will facilitate the closure of Dungavel and be ` more

purpose-built facility. To bring some certainty to my many ET

constituents who live in Wilbledon and around, could the minister say

when and if he expects to announce reciprocal arrangements? As the

primers to said we wish to protect the status of EU citizens working

here and at the same time wd expect the status of British citizdns

living and working elsewherd to be respected as well. Ten days ago Alan

Richards was convicted in Bhrmingham of the most horrific catalogue of

offences against children, some as young as eight. I want to

congratulate West Midlands Police for the forensic investigathon. He

was a serving police officer for over 30 years. Will the Homd

Secretary assure the house that the enquiry into what happened will be

independent, whistle-blowers will be given protection, and if other

agencies made mistakes, including the CPS, they are part of that

investigation too? I can sax to the right honourable gentleman ht is a

hugely important case. By ddfinition it is an independent investhgation.

We are going further to givd even more protection to take on `nd lead

these cases even without thd recommendation. Given the closure of

the Calais Campbell 's last month, can ministers update the hotse on

what steps are being taken to protect migrants against illegal

trafficking on cross-channel ferries such as the Newhaven Dieppe ferry in

my constituency. I can say to my honourable friend that sincd the

removals from the can have started, and have largely been compldted

there has already been a trdmendous reduction in the amount of

clandestinely and the amount of illegal refugees trying to get

across to the UK. We hope working closely with the French we will be

able to continue that to ensure that her constituents as well of all of

ours feel better protected. Can the Home Secretary confirmed shd is

publishing new guidance on `sylum claims from Eritrea today? Hn future

will the Home Office listen to concerns about things raised in this

house rather than being forced into change by the tribunal? It hs

certainly important with Erhtrea as other countries that react on best

possible information. There have been reports by other EU cotntries

we look at. We are looking with the results of the tribunal with

interest. I like many of my Staffordshire colleagues and the

Police and Crime Commissiondr are incredibly concerned about the

business case for Staffordshire Fire and rescue opposed by skills centre.

Will the honourable friend the finance minister meet myself and

staff to assess whether or not it offers value for money?

To meet with her her colleagues I also taught us. The Home Secretary

said earlier that the lack of any as carriages of justice was ond of the

reasons why she would not instigate an enquiry into Aubrey. 95 liners

were charged, many were rem`nded in custody and went through very

difficult trials based on charges and evidence that later collapsed.

Would she reconsider what she said about injustice? Given her

predecessor's record of a whole series of enquiries and revhews in

cases where injustice was stspected, would she think again about her

decision today? I thank the right honourable lady for her question and

this government's record on enquiries is strong. We havd not

been shy about setting them up where they are needed. This was not an

easy decision and the fact H made one that she and her colleagues do

not approve does not mean I did not take incredibly seriously the

meeting I had with the families and the seriousness of it. But when I

wake up whether there was a true public interest test, it did not

meet it. I would urge her and her colleagues to read the ministerial

statement I have submitted today. Two of my constituents have been

defrauded in excess of ?60,000. It is not helped by the lack of

coordination between action fraud and the local force. They are unable

to get updates on the investigation. What can we do to improve the

investigation? I will be visiting Action Fraud to take up his specific

case and in general how thex deal with constituents and enquiries from

members to make sure that the service is improved. The Hole

Secretary's decision is a slap in the face to the campaigners and the

victims and their families, some of whom have lost their lives waiting

for justice. It is not just those of us on you agree, the IPCC, well fed

there was evidence for an enquiry. Will the Home Secretary at the very

least ensure that all materhal pertaining to Aubrey is reldased and

at the very least the operational order from the day which has never

been made available? My colleagues have spoken to the Police and Crime

Commissioner who has agreed he will work with the South Yorkshire police

to make sure the information she requires is released. I will repeat

what I said earlier, when I made this decision and the government

made this decision, we assessed carefully what the facts were,

thoughtfully thinking about the families involved. The fact we

arrived at a different decision to herd does not make it wrong. Can I

ask my right honourable fridnd the Home Secretary to come to mhddle

more in my constituency, thd home of the Devon and Cornwall police, and

to come to the home of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in

order to thank them for somd of their extraordinary work ovdr the

weekend in Cathedral close hn Exeter? I thank my right honourable

friend for that question and we all saw over the weekend the drdadful

scenes in Exeter. I would bd delighted to come with him `nd thank

the police and the Fire rescue teams who did such fantastic work in

dealing with a terrible sittation. Recently two very brave campaigners

in Zimbabwe on human rights were refused visas to come to thhs house

and speak, despite our ambassador in Harare supporting it. With the

Minister please look at what is going on in south Africa? Wd are

letting in people who have done dreadful things and yet two, decent,

law-abiding, respectful, hard-working people, one of whom has

been given asylum in Americ`, were refused entry. I will be more than

happy to meet with her in pdrson to discuss this issue. I am aw`re of a

number of cases involving Zhmbabwe which we have under review. As part

of a comprehensive strategy to improve the resilience of otr Fire

And Rescue Services, it is necessary to take all reasonable steps were my

honourable liaise with the Department for Communities `nd Local

Government to ensure that the normal way of improving regulations takes

place in our strategy is brought in line at that strategy is brought in

line with other countries? H thank my honourable friend and nehghbour

for his question. I am sure my colleagues will have heard what he

had to say and I will make sure they do hear that. There are suppression

products other than sprinkldrs that builders can use and we are keen to

make sure we continue to have safe homes. It is Wi-Fi is in our area

are at pretty historic low levels. I had to hack she said should not be

angry when I tell her that xou agree with you about Aubrey. One final we

will not do about Hillsborotgh until we have the truth about an dye out

for full disclosure? This whll never go away, please think again. That

there is the quality of the and all. Two criminal investigations going on

and they have access to the Aubrey material and there will be no change

in that aspect. , Jonathan @shwood. I ask that the state to makd a

statement on NHS funding. The Secretary of State for Health,

Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Thank you, Mr