0:00:00 > 0:00:01to Her Majesty the Queen and the jig of Edinburgh as they celebrate the
0:00:01 > 0:00:0670th wedding anniversary today. Questions to the Secretary of State
0:00:06 > 0:00:11for the Home Department.
0:00:12 > 0:00:18Can I take the opportunity to add my good wishes for the 70th
0:00:18 > 0:00:25anniversary. Long may she reign. We are taking action on knife crime
0:00:25 > 0:00:29settled on four key strands. The first is on police enforcement.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Retailers with responsible sales. Tightening legislation to ensure
0:00:33 > 0:00:38police have powers they need. And the fourth is encouraging early
0:00:38 > 0:00:43interventions other people do not get knives in the first place.My
0:00:43 > 0:00:46constituents woke up to a nightmare after Halloween, finding that knife
0:00:46 > 0:00:52wielding yobs had been on a slashing spree. Including slashing car tyres
0:00:52 > 0:00:59and soft top roofs. Some as young as 12. What is she doing to make sure
0:00:59 > 0:01:03the youngest in society cannot get your hands on these knives to go on
0:01:03 > 0:01:06these rampages and terrorise communities, because they are also
0:01:06 > 0:01:11putting themselves at risk as well. I thank him for that comment. I have
0:01:11 > 0:01:15huge sympathy with his constituents. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to
0:01:15 > 0:01:19buy a knife will stop we are working with retailers to ensure that
0:01:19 > 0:01:23becomes the case more and more. We're making sure that is enforced.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27We're also working local communities and we have a community intervention
0:01:27 > 0:01:32fund that will work with local groups to make sure young people are
0:01:32 > 0:01:35unaware of how dangerous it is to carry knives for them as well as
0:01:35 > 0:01:47potential victims.Mr Speaker, Dan was knifed to death in a brutal
0:01:47 > 0:01:53attack. He was one of hundreds of victims and last 12 months, with
0:01:53 > 0:01:57crime rising 15%. Does the Home Secretary not begin to understand
0:01:57 > 0:02:03that the consequences in the West Midlands of 2000 fewer police
0:02:03 > 0:02:06officers is knife crime is soaring, gun crime is soaring, violent crime
0:02:06 > 0:02:11is soaring, and the Government is betraying the first duty of any
0:02:11 > 0:02:16Government. The safety and security of its citizens.It is because we
0:02:16 > 0:02:19recognise that the first duty of this Government is to keep the
0:02:19 > 0:02:24citizens safe that we have such a comprehensive plan to look at
0:02:24 > 0:02:28violent and serious violent crime. We recognise the police need the
0:02:28 > 0:02:32resources but it is more than that. It is about early intervention. It
0:02:32 > 0:02:36is about making sure that those knives and guns do not get into the
0:02:36 > 0:02:40hands of people who can do such damage. And it is making sure we
0:02:40 > 0:02:43work with retailers online to ensure that they cannot access them through
0:02:43 > 0:02:50those resources.Thank you. Knife crime and in youth violence crime is
0:02:50 > 0:02:56on the increase in Manchester as well. I wonder what consideration
0:02:56 > 0:02:59the Home Secretary has given to some of the tactics used by police in
0:02:59 > 0:03:04policing what is increasingly called gang violence but often isn't.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10Particularly in relation to the overuse, often, things like joint
0:03:10 > 0:03:14enterprise. Such tactics pushing the very community away from the police
0:03:14 > 0:03:18that the police are seeking to bring on board.She raises a very good
0:03:18 > 0:03:22point. It is actually essential that we get the police there tools that
0:03:22 > 0:03:26they need to keep people safe at all are used in a way that reassures the
0:03:26 > 0:03:30local committee. One of the areas raised with me often is the role of
0:03:30 > 0:03:34stop and search. Now we know that the use of stop and searches, when
0:03:34 > 0:03:39used properly, effective. I am determined to make sure that we
0:03:39 > 0:03:42we're sure policing committees that police can continue to use stop and
0:03:42 > 0:03:47search and should continue to use that technique to stop knife crimes
0:03:47 > 0:03:51taking place.A significant proportion of knife purchases are
0:03:51 > 0:03:57online or by mail order. How can that be regulated and what is to
0:03:57 > 0:04:02stop a young persons and by going online and buying a knife?In two
0:04:02 > 0:04:06ways. It is a very good point. We have to make sure that we work with
0:04:06 > 0:04:11this ESPs, the internet providers, so it is not as easy to buy online.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15We also have to work with the retailers so that when people order
0:04:15 > 0:04:20them, they have to actually collect them. That is the legislation we
0:04:20 > 0:04:23will bring forward, so people cannot lie about their age. If the order my
0:04:23 > 0:04:30phone line, they will have to go and collected in future. -- they order a
0:04:30 > 0:04:34knife online. With your permission, I'll answer
0:04:34 > 0:04:37this question along with question three. We have a comprehensive
0:04:37 > 0:04:40framework for refugees and families to be safely reunited in this
0:04:40 > 0:04:44country without the need for dangerous journeys. Our family
0:04:44 > 0:04:48reunion policy allows children to join refugee parents. There are
0:04:48 > 0:04:51immigration rules in place for extended family members lawfully
0:04:51 > 0:05:00resident yet to sponsor children in CDs are compelling circumstances.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05Children can also join close family members through our mandate scheme.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Bradford is proud to have given homes to a number of families
0:05:09 > 0:05:14through the scheme, but there are hundreds of stranded, unaccompanied
0:05:14 > 0:05:22children in Europe. Family reunion is the only safe and legal writ. Can
0:05:22 > 0:05:28the Minister look again at unaccompanied refugee children
0:05:28 > 0:05:34joining close family 's other lone parents?I would say to the
0:05:34 > 0:05:37honourable gentleman that there are any number of Gateway schemes, not
0:05:37 > 0:05:45just the Dublin regulations. Within our own immigration rules, there is
0:05:45 > 0:05:49a rich people can use and I would encourage them to look at that. --
0:05:49 > 0:05:53route that people can use.Can I welcome the response of the
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Minister? Does he accept that the generosity of spirit and decency of
0:05:58 > 0:06:05the British people is such that they want the Government to do more?
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Wouldn't he accept that that is exemplified by his £50 million
0:06:08 > 0:06:11raised by BBC Children in Need last week as a testament to that
0:06:11 > 0:06:18generosity of spirit? And can he now match the rhetoric, which is very
0:06:18 > 0:06:25welcome, with deeds that will break the logjam of children being
0:06:25 > 0:06:32reunited with families in the UK.I would say to the honourable
0:06:32 > 0:06:35gentleman that he is right. It is great generosity across this
0:06:35 > 0:06:41country, not just on Friday night, but in committee sponsored
0:06:41 > 0:06:43programmes and committees doing what they can to help the most vulnerable
0:06:43 > 0:06:46in the world. We should be very proud of what we does a country and
0:06:46 > 0:06:49what this is doing in terms of bringing over children in need
0:06:49 > 0:06:54support and help. That is what we are doing and rules allow for family
0:06:54 > 0:06:58reunions as well.One of the dangers faced by these children as human
0:06:58 > 0:07:04traffickers, and in that regard, did the Minister see the appalling
0:07:04 > 0:07:10report in the Times of children being sold on the street of Glasgow
0:07:10 > 0:07:17for sex, some as young as five. What can we do to stamp this out?He
0:07:17 > 0:07:23rightly draws attention to a horrific case that many of us will
0:07:23 > 0:07:31have seen this happen. My right honourable friend spoke to other
0:07:31 > 0:07:40ministers today to offer. Port on this. We need to do all we can to
0:07:40 > 0:07:43deter people and crack down on rogue traders and despicable behaviour of
0:07:43 > 0:07:49human trafficking. We're so pleased to see the work done recently across
0:07:49 > 0:07:51the Home Office, with the immigration force and and NCA to
0:07:51 > 0:07:57break some of these routes down. We have to stay focused on it.What
0:07:57 > 0:08:01wider steps as the Government taking to tackle the Red Cross of the
0:08:01 > 0:08:09crisis? -- root cause.It is important that we focus as much as
0:08:09 > 0:08:12we can on developing and improving the situation upstream. That is why
0:08:12 > 0:08:19I am very pleased Prime Minister was able to get an extra £75 million
0:08:19 > 0:08:21through the international developer department this summer to work with
0:08:21 > 0:08:24partners around Europe to make sure we do as much as we can to tackle
0:08:24 > 0:08:31real problems.Thank you. Can I welcome the announcement this
0:08:31 > 0:08:36weekend of the agreement to transfer a Syrian teenager from Greece under
0:08:36 > 0:08:40the scheme. I wrote to the Home Secretary about this on the 7th of
0:08:40 > 0:08:44August. A boy that was locked in a police cell in Greece because there
0:08:44 > 0:08:47was no other safe accommodation for even though local council here had
0:08:47 > 0:08:51offered a place. I understand he still has not been given a transfer
0:08:51 > 0:08:57date and they hope the Minister can look into that urgently. Given that
0:08:57 > 0:09:01we have 280 M D local council places and 90 of those were supposed to
0:09:01 > 0:09:08come from Greece, that there are still around 3000 child refugees in
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Greece, does he agree that it is not good enough for only
0:09:14 > 0:09:23eligible children to have been identified in Greece. -- four. We
0:09:23 > 0:09:29need to take urgent action to make sure more children will come.I am
0:09:29 > 0:09:32sure sure appreciate from answers she has had previously that it is
0:09:32 > 0:09:37not a matter of empty Dummett having in this basis. It is good news that
0:09:37 > 0:09:40we have children in process coming through from France and Greece. I
0:09:40 > 0:09:44would also just point out for honourable members, as I have done
0:09:44 > 0:09:49before, that these are sovereign states. It is right that we do it in
0:09:49 > 0:09:53a way that works on his sovereign states. I have been to Greece myself
0:09:53 > 0:09:57as well as Italy to talk about what we can do to make this work fluidly.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59But ultimately these are sovereign states working with his children and
0:09:59 > 0:10:05we have to do what is right and in the best interests of the children.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10The right honourable member referred to the fact that they waited 14
0:10:10 > 0:10:15months before news of the transfer came through. What news can be --
0:10:15 > 0:10:19what can be done to speed up this scheme?We're always working with
0:10:19 > 0:10:25other partners about how we can move the system is fluidly as possible. I
0:10:25 > 0:10:29am as keen as he is to see people coming through the system as quickly
0:10:29 > 0:10:34as possible. But ultimately we have to do the best we can for these
0:10:34 > 0:10:38children and respect the laws of a sovereign state like these. --
0:10:38 > 0:10:43Greece.
0:10:43 > 0:10:51Number four.At the end of June 2017 some 31,368 applications for
0:10:51 > 0:10:53indefinite leave to remain were under consideration by the
0:10:53 > 0:11:00Department.And one wonders how long many of those cases were waiting
0:11:00 > 0:11:05because so often we are told the cases are complex and maybe one year
0:11:05 > 0:11:10and two years and they still cannot make a decision. Furthermore, even
0:11:10 > 0:11:14people who have won their appeals are finding it is taking nine months
0:11:14 > 0:11:19even to get a reply and very often their documents get lost or they get
0:11:19 > 0:11:24their passport back without their Visa stamped in it. I recognise the
0:11:24 > 0:11:29minister inherited this mess, but that would seem like a complacent
0:11:29 > 0:11:36reply to actually sorting it out.I am surprised at his closing comments
0:11:36 > 0:11:41because I have not answered that question yet. I thank the honourable
0:11:41 > 0:11:45gentleman for his question. It gives me the chance to highlight the
0:11:45 > 0:11:48excellent work that the team do every day where we can process
0:11:48 > 0:11:55within the service agreement of six-month 99.95% of all cases and
0:11:55 > 0:11:59the 0.05%, under half a percent, take longer and they either very
0:11:59 > 0:12:03complex cases that we liaise with people on it. I do not recognise the
0:12:03 > 0:12:09picture he has painted.I want to encourage the Minister to redouble
0:12:09 > 0:12:13his efforts. Everybody knows the difficulties the government has with
0:12:13 > 0:12:17immigration in the European Union, but we cannot understand why after
0:12:17 > 0:12:20seven years of a Conservative government we have still not got to
0:12:20 > 0:12:25grips with immigration with the rest of the world. We need more police
0:12:25 > 0:12:29officers, more border officers and quicker decisions and these people
0:12:29 > 0:12:32who have no right to stay you must leave otherwise it undermines the
0:12:32 > 0:12:41whole system.99.5% of cases are decided within the timetable set out
0:12:41 > 0:12:44under service level agreements and with regard to people here illegally
0:12:44 > 0:12:49we should be clear that if people are here illegally, we want them to
0:12:49 > 0:12:55return to their homes because the ability to work should be restricted
0:12:55 > 0:12:58and the ability to employ people should be restricted so we are clear
0:12:58 > 0:13:05that people who are here illegally will be removed.Number five.As we
0:13:05 > 0:13:09leave the European Union we will be able to control our immigration more
0:13:09 > 0:13:13effectively. We will make sure we do that in a way that supports our
0:13:13 > 0:13:18economy after 40 years of free movement of labour. We will address
0:13:18 > 0:13:23that by the evidence we get from the Migration Advisory Committee which
0:13:23 > 0:13:28will be reporting towards the middle end of next year.Can I refer the
0:13:28 > 0:13:32House to my register of interests and can I also asked the Home
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Secretary to confirm to dairy farmers and other businesses in
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Dumfries and Galloway that they will still be able to hire long-term
0:13:40 > 0:13:50migrant labourers on long-term contracts after Brexit?Mr Speaker,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55I am aware of the issue with dairy farmers as well as other need that
0:13:55 > 0:14:00the industry has with migrant workers and when we decide on the
0:14:00 > 0:14:03right immigration policy after we leave the European Union, we will
0:14:03 > 0:14:08make sure it continues to support our economy.The all-party group on
0:14:08 > 0:14:12migration which I chair recently conducted research with a range of
0:14:12 > 0:14:17businesses to ask about their labour needs and the of Brexit. Uniformly
0:14:17 > 0:14:22they told us it was not just a case of access to highly skilled labour,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26but many jobs characterised at low skilled would be difficult to fill
0:14:26 > 0:14:30if they could not access the EU labour market. Can the Home
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Secretary consider that report and what assurances can she could to
0:14:34 > 0:14:39businesses across a whole range of sectors?I share the view of the
0:14:39 > 0:14:43right honourable lady. We have talked enthusiastically about
0:14:43 > 0:14:48wanting to be as a country that attract the brightest and the best
0:14:48 > 0:14:52to support our economy, but we recognise there will be a need for
0:14:52 > 0:14:56migrant labour in different areas, potentially in construction and
0:14:56 > 0:15:02dairy farming, and that is the sort of area that I would hope the
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Migration Advisory Committee will be able to report on when they come
0:15:04 > 0:15:12through with their report next year. Rebecca Powell.I wonder if the
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Secretary of State could also take into account seasonal workers. In my
0:15:16 > 0:15:21constituency we have got people thinking of Turkey plucking coming
0:15:21 > 0:15:25up with Christmas. A lot of these people are migrant workers and they
0:15:25 > 0:15:30work in the tourist industry and catering industry, but many are only
0:15:30 > 0:15:34temporary. With the Secretary of State give some indications as to
0:15:34 > 0:15:37whether this could be looked on favourably in the future?My
0:15:37 > 0:15:43honourable friend regards and raises an important point coming up to
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Christmas. We will look carefully at the need for migrant labour in that
0:15:47 > 0:15:50sector and we will want to rely on the evidence and that is why the
0:15:50 > 0:15:57report on the Migration Advisory Committee will be important.It
0:15:57 > 0:16:01seems apposite for me to call Joanna Cherry one we are talking about
0:16:01 > 0:16:08fruit farmers.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I begin by adding my
0:16:08 > 0:16:12good wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on my
0:16:12 > 0:16:18behalf on the occasion of her 70th wedding anniversary. Data analysis
0:16:18 > 0:16:22submitted to the Migration Advisory Committee by the Scottish Government
0:16:22 > 0:16:27shows that in Scotland EU nationals who work in Scotland contribute an
0:16:27 > 0:16:34average of £34,400 each per annum to gross domestic product. That is more
0:16:34 > 0:16:39than £4.4 billion a year. Thus the Home Secretary agree with me that
0:16:39 > 0:16:43this evidence shows that Brexit is putting a vital contribution to
0:16:43 > 0:16:48Scotland's economy at risk?I would point out to the right honourable
0:16:48 > 0:16:52lady that we have not left the European Union yet, said that Labour
0:16:52 > 0:16:57will continue to be available until we do. I am delighted to hear that
0:16:57 > 0:17:01there has been an additional submission from Scotland and I am
0:17:01 > 0:17:03sure the Migration Advisory Committee will look carefully at the
0:17:03 > 0:17:09evidence provided.Scotland's demographic profile is very
0:17:09 > 0:17:14different to the rest of the UK because over the next ten years,
0:17:14 > 0:17:19Scotland's population growth is projected to come entirely, that is
0:17:19 > 0:17:22100%, from migration. The comparative figure for the UK is
0:17:22 > 0:17:2858%. Will the Home Secretary look carefully at supporting the
0:17:28 > 0:17:34devolution of immigration to Scotland in response to the strong
0:17:34 > 0:17:38evidence of divergences and indeed to address concerns such as those
0:17:38 > 0:17:44raised by the honourable member for Dumfries and Galloway?The right
0:17:44 > 0:17:48honourable lady will be aware that immigration remains reserved matter.
0:17:48 > 0:17:55We will be considering the needs of UK as a whole. I recognise the fact
0:17:55 > 0:17:58that Scotland has some particular circumstances and need for skilled
0:17:58 > 0:18:01labour and that is a specific Scotland specific shortage
0:18:01 > 0:18:05occupation list which will cover some of the areas she has drawn
0:18:05 > 0:18:10attention to. I am sure she like me will look forward with eager
0:18:10 > 0:18:15anticipation to the report coming out next year.Dan Auerbach. We on
0:18:15 > 0:18:19this side of the House would also like to congratulate her Royal
0:18:19 > 0:18:25Highness on her 70th wedding anniversary. Does the Secretary of
0:18:25 > 0:18:30State share the concerns of the National Farmers Union who report a
0:18:30 > 0:18:34fourfold increase in the number of vacancies because of the falling
0:18:34 > 0:18:39number of EU workers? The Society of order manufacturers and traders said
0:18:39 > 0:18:44the growth of the car industry depends on access to skilled labour
0:18:44 > 0:18:51in Europe. The Nursing and Midwifery Council report and 96% drop in nurse
0:18:51 > 0:18:57registrations from the EU. Does she not recognise that industry want
0:18:57 > 0:19:05answers on these issues sooner rather than later?Mr Speaker, what
0:19:05 > 0:19:08I recognise is the incredible value that EU workers and professionals
0:19:08 > 0:19:14provide in the UK. We are fortunate to have so many of them working
0:19:14 > 0:19:19here. We will make sure the immigration policy we design as we
0:19:19 > 0:19:22leave the European Union continues to get the best out of that, but
0:19:22 > 0:19:27also adds some controls. We must acknowledge the fact we have voted
0:19:27 > 0:19:31to leave the EU and the public expect us to put controls on it and
0:19:31 > 0:19:34we will do that in a way that continues to welcome EU workers who
0:19:34 > 0:19:41provide such important employment in areas such as she has mentioned, in
0:19:41 > 0:19:50hospitals and schools.Number six. Mr Speaker, it is the responsibility
0:19:50 > 0:19:54of the National joint Council to consider what pay award is
0:19:54 > 0:19:56appropriate for firefighters in England. Central government has no
0:19:56 > 0:20:10role in this process. The 2017-18 Pena Goshen pay negotiations are
0:20:10 > 0:20:18still under way.I thank the Minister for his reply. However, the
0:20:18 > 0:20:22National Audit Office figures show that 30% of central government
0:20:22 > 0:20:28funding has been cut from the Fire and Rescue Service since 2011. With
0:20:28 > 0:20:34a further cut of 20% by 2020 basic paid for firefighters is nearly
0:20:34 > 0:20:39£3000 less in real terms than it was in 2010. Is it not time government
0:20:39 > 0:20:44stop hiding behind cash-strapped authorities and stumped up the cash
0:20:44 > 0:20:50these vital public servants deserve? I say to the honourable gentleman
0:20:50 > 0:20:57there is a reason why we have fewer firefighters. We have 48% purifiers
0:20:57 > 0:21:02over the last ten years. He talks about the cash-strapped service. He
0:21:02 > 0:21:07will be aware that single Fire authorities like his own have had
0:21:07 > 0:21:13multi-settlements and they are part of a system that is sitting on £616
0:21:13 > 0:21:23million of reserves, and number that has grown by 153% since 2010.Could
0:21:23 > 0:21:27I urge the Minister to look at the example of Essex where the police
0:21:27 > 0:21:30and crime commission is now responsible for both of those
0:21:30 > 0:21:34entities and is able to drive for efficiency is that would be better
0:21:34 > 0:21:41spent if rolled out elsewhere? Capital at my honourable friend and
0:21:41 > 0:21:48we thank the leadership in Essex to enable governors of fire and police,
0:21:48 > 0:21:53not just in the name of better accountability and transparency, but
0:21:53 > 0:21:57also the opportunity to continue to pursue savings and efficiencies on
0:21:57 > 0:22:03behalf of the taxpayer.I recently met with the Humberside Fire Chief
0:22:03 > 0:22:07just couple of weeks ago and he knows all his firefighters deserve a
0:22:07 > 0:22:11pay rise. What was really worrying him was that he would not have the
0:22:11 > 0:22:16money in his budget to pay for it. You talk about these reserves that
0:22:16 > 0:22:20they have, but the Humberside Fire Service, like the ones further down
0:22:20 > 0:22:23the coast, are no longer dealing with fires at sea because they have
0:22:23 > 0:22:27not got the money to pay for those either. I would like a commitment
0:22:27 > 0:22:33from you that they will find the money for the Fire Service and also
0:22:33 > 0:22:39look into this other problem of not covering fires that happen at sea.I
0:22:39 > 0:22:42completely share her desire to see firefighters get a fair pay
0:22:42 > 0:22:47settlement. I have admiration for them, not least having met the
0:22:47 > 0:22:53number of firefighters who did great work and Grenfell Tower. Government
0:22:53 > 0:22:56will always listen to the evidence. The challenge for the Fire Service
0:22:56 > 0:23:01in terms of making the case for fresh funding from the government is
0:23:01 > 0:23:05what is the evidence that you cannot manage the demand in the system now?
0:23:05 > 0:23:09What is your plan for reserves? Reserves in the Fire system have
0:23:09 > 0:23:16grown every year since 2010. That is not the action of a system that is
0:23:16 > 0:23:22strapped for cash.Can I correct the minister because his own Home Office
0:23:22 > 0:23:27figures show that fire deaths have gone up 17% in the last 12 months.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32He will also be aware that funding for local authorities has been
0:23:32 > 0:23:35slashed. Firefighters risk their lives every day to keep us safe and
0:23:35 > 0:23:40they have seen a real terms cut in their pay every year for the last
0:23:40 > 0:23:47seven years and they cannot spare warm words from the Minister. Now
0:23:47 > 0:23:50the employers representatives on the joint Council and the fire Brigade
0:23:50 > 0:23:55union all agree that to increase firefighters' wages additional,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59central government funds must be provided. When will the Minister
0:23:59 > 0:24:04stop passing the buck and start taking responsibility for his own
0:24:04 > 0:24:10actions?In response to that artificial rant let me again state
0:24:10 > 0:24:16the facts. Over the past ten years the total number of fires attended
0:24:16 > 0:24:23has more than halved. The taxpayer is investing £2.3 billion of public
0:24:23 > 0:24:28money in the Fire Service. If there is evidence that is not enough, we
0:24:28 > 0:24:32will always listen to it, but the first question to be asked is what
0:24:32 > 0:24:40are you doing with your reserves? Number seven.Number seven.I would
0:24:40 > 0:24:46like to answer this question along with 17. We want to encourage
0:24:46 > 0:24:50compliance leading to fewer illegal immigrants in the first place. We
0:24:50 > 0:24:54will continue to work with partners to ensure we are always exploring
0:24:54 > 0:25:00the best practice and opportunities. Given over half of migrants leaving
0:25:00 > 0:25:05detention centres are released into the community and not removed, given
0:25:05 > 0:25:10monitoring illegal immigrants in the community costs 80% less than
0:25:10 > 0:25:14detention, and given the sheer inhumanity of Britain's immigration
0:25:14 > 0:25:18and detention regime, many believe it is time to look at alternatives
0:25:18 > 0:25:22that work better in other European countries. Will the Minister agree
0:25:22 > 0:25:27to a pre-Christmas meeting with myself and a group that has recently
0:25:27 > 0:25:33published detailed research on alternatives to detention?
0:25:33 > 0:25:37I would say that I don't recognise what he outlined at all. Apart from
0:25:37 > 0:25:41the fact we do not have indefinite detention in this country, we always
0:25:41 > 0:25:46have an assumption of liberty and the fact that a suspect is not
0:25:46 > 0:25:59detained for as -- is detained for only as long as is necessary.Thank
0:25:59 > 0:26:06you. It is completely wrong to say that we do not have indefinite
0:26:06 > 0:26:11detention. If you're locked up for not being -- and not given a time
0:26:11 > 0:26:13frame for release, that is indefinite detention. Will the
0:26:13 > 0:26:20Minister not take on recommendations from a number of bodies, including
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Amnesty International and the Labour Party, for a statutory requirement
0:26:23 > 0:26:30of 28 days for release?I would say to him that first of all detention
0:26:30 > 0:26:34is an important part of our processes and a leading returns. --
0:26:34 > 0:26:39alarming. To be lawful in this country, detention never lasts
0:26:39 > 0:26:42longer than is reasonably necessary to achieve the purpose for which it
0:26:42 > 0:26:52was authorised. That is the policy rerun. -- that we run.With my right
0:26:52 > 0:26:55honourable friend agree that there are too many people in detention
0:26:55 > 0:26:58centres who should have been already deported? They should have been
0:26:58 > 0:27:03deported before the expiry of their prison sentences. Why isn't that
0:27:03 > 0:27:09happening?My honourable friend is always makes an important point.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12There are people in this country, both in prison who we would
0:27:12 > 0:27:17obviously like to return, but I am pleased that we have seen a record
0:27:17 > 0:27:21number sixes and 500 being able to return this year. There is always
0:27:21 > 0:27:25more to do and we will focus on doing that.My honourable friend is
0:27:25 > 0:27:30absolutely correct in saying that detention plays an important part in
0:27:30 > 0:27:35our immigration system. But of course well people are in detention,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39they should be free from abuse. There were some recent allegations
0:27:39 > 0:27:45of abuse at Brook cows in my constituency, and emigration
0:27:45 > 0:27:52detention centre. What discussions as he had with the operator, G4S?He
0:27:52 > 0:27:58makes a good point. Many of us, if not all of us in this House, will
0:27:58 > 0:28:01have seen the unacceptable situation on the BBC Panorama programme. I met
0:28:01 > 0:28:06with the operator several times to discuss the work done to review
0:28:06 > 0:28:13these actions. I will continue to keep the focus on that.Last week,
0:28:13 > 0:28:23the Chief Inspector of service discussed the situation in Jawa
0:28:23 > 0:28:30detention -- centre.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Why isn't this policy being implemented on immigration detention
0:28:35 > 0:28:41and were vulnerable people still being detained?I can only repeat to
0:28:41 > 0:28:46him that we have a reasonable prospect of -- we will remove a
0:28:46 > 0:28:50person only when we have a reasonable prospect of doing so and
0:28:50 > 0:28:56it is part of a process.Regional organised crime unit is a critical
0:28:56 > 0:29:01part of the policing network and they are an official and effective
0:29:01 > 0:29:04way of tackling serious and organised crime. Since 2013, the
0:29:04 > 0:29:10Government has invested £140 million in this.This is a serious concern
0:29:10 > 0:29:14to people in my constituency. What steps are being taken to ensure that
0:29:14 > 0:29:21local police forces can take measures to stop these offences?I
0:29:21 > 0:29:26recognise my honourable friend's concern. She should return any
0:29:26 > 0:29:33concern to the relevant police force. Regional organised crime unit
0:29:33 > 0:29:38is lead investigations into complex, serious organised crime. Decisions
0:29:38 > 0:29:42of investigations from these units are based on risks of threat and
0:29:42 > 0:29:48harm.With the Minister accept that important though the concept of
0:29:48 > 0:29:55regional Corporation is, that organised crime is core business in
0:29:55 > 0:29:59large areas like Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Yorkshire and London
0:29:59 > 0:30:03etc. Nothing should be done at regional level but stops local
0:30:03 > 0:30:09police forces driving down against the organisational criminals who
0:30:09 > 0:30:17destroy people's lives.I totally agree. Regional organised crime and
0:30:17 > 0:30:20tackling organised crime regionally is only one part of the line going
0:30:20 > 0:30:24from grassroots policing using local police forces alongside local
0:30:24 > 0:30:27authorities, all the way to the National Crime Agency that can users
0:30:27 > 0:30:29into national reach to make sure that stops them either becoming
0:30:29 > 0:30:36suppliers or bigger and trafficking people, money and drugs.Last week,
0:30:36 > 0:30:42my honourable friend wrote an excellent article in the Times of
0:30:42 > 0:30:46the county lines for moving drugs and the country. It is an insidious
0:30:46 > 0:30:51problem and adult counties but in Somerset as well. Canon Mr Michel
0:30:51 > 0:30:55house that the organised crime units at regional level have the
0:30:55 > 0:31:01interconnectivity to tackle this regional problem?County lines is a
0:31:01 > 0:31:08growing problem. It is being seen is in Merseyside recently and also in
0:31:08 > 0:31:12the likes of Somerset, where some of the worst criminals take advantage
0:31:12 > 0:31:15of, all people to use properties to either supply drugs, hide weapons,
0:31:15 > 0:31:20except. That is why the National Crime Agency is taking a lead in
0:31:20 > 0:31:26this alongside with the regional crime unit to make sure we link up
0:31:26 > 0:31:28with mental health trusts and local authorities to make sure that people
0:31:28 > 0:31:35who are vulnerable and being exploited are held and the
0:31:35 > 0:31:40perpetrators are dealt with.In my area in Derbyshire, we have seen 411
0:31:40 > 0:31:44fewer police officers in the last eight years. In my constituency,
0:31:44 > 0:31:48three police stations are closed in spite of rising crime, knife attacks
0:31:48 > 0:31:52on Halloween. How does the Minister feel that these local police forces
0:31:52 > 0:31:57will cope with both regional organised crime and local crime?
0:31:57 > 0:32:03This year, the Government and the BCC is investing a record sum into
0:32:03 > 0:32:06regional organised crime units across the country. That is why in
0:32:06 > 0:32:14the year alone we have seen convictions totalling 2375,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18confiscations orders of over £25 million. Regional organised crime
0:32:18 > 0:32:23units themselves have seen the engines of kilograms of cocaine, and
0:32:23 > 0:32:29safeguarded a large number of children through the year.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32I have already been meeting with some of my honourable friends in
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Scotland. I am meeting with a number of Scottish MPs this very week to
0:32:35 > 0:32:40discuss this issue. I would just say that during my recent visit to
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Edinburgh, amateur to meet representatives of the industry.
0:32:42 > 0:32:47Sadly they could not attend on that day.I will take that as my
0:32:47 > 0:32:53invitation to the meeting, Mr Speaker. I suspect that the problem
0:32:53 > 0:33:03is that the few visas are available at transit visas. It leaves many
0:33:03 > 0:33:07crew members vulnerable and exposed to exploitation. Will the Minister
0:33:07 > 0:33:12speak to the Borders force and get assistance that crewmembers should
0:33:12 > 0:33:20be classified as unskilled labour? It is a cross-party meeting and the
0:33:20 > 0:33:23honourable gentleman have details of the meeting later this week. We're
0:33:23 > 0:33:26looking at all the details, particularly in light of leaving the
0:33:26 > 0:33:33EU. I look forward to hearing his views.Mr Speaker, UK law
0:33:33 > 0:33:35enforcement success leading to five suspects in nine out of ten of the
0:33:35 > 0:33:39most serious cyber crimes from October last year to March this
0:33:39 > 0:33:44year. They have arrested suspect in seven out of ten of them. Cyber
0:33:44 > 0:33:47criminals will face the full force of the law, no matter how
0:33:47 > 0:33:53untouchable they think they are, and will be brought to justice.Can my
0:33:53 > 0:33:55right honourable friend give the House details about what advice is
0:33:55 > 0:34:00being given both to individuals and businesses so that they can protect
0:34:00 > 0:34:06themselves online?Following the National cyber Security strategy,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10the Government set up the national cyber Security Centre, which issues
0:34:10 > 0:34:15a range of advice to businesses and individuals. The couple met that,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18the National cyber centre also supports the national campaign,
0:34:18 > 0:34:23Cyber Aware Than
0:34:23 > 0:34:29supports the national campaign, Cyber Aware Than.To do this, we
0:34:29 > 0:34:40expected to be a member of Europol post European access in -- post
0:34:40 > 0:34:45Brexit?We have made a good offer and we will see what the responses
0:34:45 > 0:34:52from the European Commission.Last week, the chief Executive Officer of
0:34:52 > 0:34:55the National cyber Security Centre said that in its first year of
0:34:55 > 0:35:00operation, the centre had responded to over 600 significant incidents.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05Some of those threats come from hostile states and areas of the
0:35:05 > 0:35:09world that are ungoverned. What practical steps will the Government
0:35:09 > 0:35:12take to build the international coalition that will be required to
0:35:12 > 0:35:20do with this? -- deal.He makes some valid questions and point is that we
0:35:20 > 0:35:24have to build on. That is why we have been building alongside the
0:35:24 > 0:35:27National Security Agency, working with the NCA. The end of national
0:35:27 > 0:35:34network. There have been offers us around the world. GCHQ worked with
0:35:34 > 0:35:39many of the member states of the European Union to tackle that. We
0:35:39 > 0:35:42have seen a number of very successful operations, most recently
0:35:42 > 0:35:47in December, where we took down the avalanche cloud hosting service led
0:35:47 > 0:35:52by Europol. It was sending out millions of fraudulent e-mails per
0:35:52 > 0:36:02week.Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is absolutely no limit on the number
0:36:02 > 0:36:05of international students can come to the UK, nor is it a plan to
0:36:05 > 0:36:16impose one. The effect on migration figures as marginal.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24We are now coming to the end of a very successful two-year pilot a
0:36:24 > 0:36:31leading Chinese National is a two-year entry Visa for the price of
0:36:31 > 0:36:37a six-month entry Visa. It looks like that will be made permanent in
0:36:37 > 0:36:41the New Year. Will the Secretary of State commit to introducing the same
0:36:41 > 0:36:49scheme for Indian nationals for trade post Brexit?I would say that
0:36:49 > 0:36:55I was in India couple of weeks ago. I have some conversations about
0:36:55 > 0:36:59this. It is a little bit premature because China is based on a
0:36:59 > 0:37:03different situation to the situation between us and India but we will
0:37:03 > 0:37:07look at that pilot and I will feed back after the pilot has ended and
0:37:07 > 0:37:11we have had a chance to review it. Recent polling shows that much of
0:37:11 > 0:37:15the British public to not consider international students to be
0:37:15 > 0:37:17immigrants and they want to see them work for a period here to contribute
0:37:17 > 0:37:23to the economy. Will he commit to increasing the UK's post study work
0:37:23 > 0:37:25opportunities so that we can continue to attract the brightest
0:37:25 > 0:37:31and best students to the UK after Brexit?She makes a very good point.
0:37:31 > 0:37:37These things are always kept under review. I would just point out in
0:37:37 > 0:37:40terms of students, students leaving university as graduates will be able
0:37:40 > 0:37:44to stay with the graduate job in that tear to Visa system and I would
0:37:44 > 0:37:49encourage them to do that.Shouldn't the Minister not take the student
0:37:49 > 0:37:55figures out immigration figures because they do not come here as
0:37:55 > 0:37:58asylum seekers, they come you to contribute to local colonies. So
0:37:58 > 0:38:03there is a contradiction of the Government's position.I would just
0:38:03 > 0:38:06eight of the honourable gentleman, an awful lot of migrants do not, as
0:38:06 > 0:38:13asylum seekers. That is quite a wide issue. -- do not come as. With
0:38:13 > 0:38:19students, the net migration figures are published by the Office of
0:38:19 > 0:38:22National Statistics. They are entirely independent of Government.
0:38:22 > 0:38:28Based on the UN definition of what I get is, that someone in the country
0:38:28 > 0:38:31for 12 months or more.Stirling University has a deserved global
0:38:31 > 0:38:40university for welcoming international tunes. When will
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Scottish universities have the advantage of post study work visas?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Students leaving university with a graduate job would find it easier to
0:38:48 > 0:38:53adhere to these. We are running a pilot at the moment and there will
0:38:53 > 0:38:57look at the outcome very soon.Does the Minister realise how pleased the
0:38:57 > 0:39:01directors of Jaguar Land Rover will be with the answer that he has just
0:39:01 > 0:39:05given? They sponsor students at Birmingham University and other
0:39:05 > 0:39:09universities in Birmingham. So they will be very relieved to know that
0:39:09 > 0:39:14those students can get graduate visas.I think my honourable friend
0:39:14 > 0:39:19has just highlighted what many of us are very clear about. Students play
0:39:19 > 0:39:24a hugely important part in our national economy and make huge
0:39:24 > 0:39:26contributions when they leave university as well, if the adding
0:39:26 > 0:39:29the appropriate format. We would encourage more people to come and
0:39:29 > 0:39:32study in this country in the excellent institutions be have right
0:39:32 > 0:39:40across the country.Shadow Home Secretary seeking to come in. I beg
0:39:40 > 0:39:44your pardon. We must hear from her. We will hold the honourable lady in
0:39:44 > 0:39:50suspense, but not for long. Diane Abbott.The Minister will be aware
0:39:50 > 0:39:55that an ally of the Home Secretary is in favour of removing
0:39:55 > 0:40:01international students from the Government's migration target. Some
0:40:01 > 0:40:04people may suspect that the unnamed ally may in fact be the Home
0:40:04 > 0:40:13Secretary herself. But whether or not that is the case, as the
0:40:13 > 0:40:19Minister has conceded, international students make an enormous
0:40:19 > 0:40:25contribution not just a academia but the economies of university towns.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Will they listen to voices on all sides of the House and remove
0:40:28 > 0:40:36international students from the migration target?
0:40:36 > 0:40:40I would say to the right honourable lady that obviously we are all
0:40:40 > 0:40:48allies here. I would just direct her to have a look at the answer I gave
0:40:48 > 0:40:52a few moans ago, which is the key thing with students, thanks to the
0:40:52 > 0:40:56work that this government has done, shutting down over 920 bogus
0:40:56 > 0:41:01colleges, students are now complying which means their effect on
0:41:01 > 0:41:11migration is marginal at best. Number three. We are fully committed
0:41:11 > 0:41:14to transfer 480 unaccompanied children under the immigration act
0:41:14 > 0:41:20and we are working with member states as well as the UNHCR
0:41:20 > 0:41:24committee on refugees and NGO partners to identify tracks are
0:41:24 > 0:41:29opportunities to the UK, complying with individual state and national
0:41:29 > 0:41:34laws.I have an ongoing and heartbreaking case of a British
0:41:34 > 0:41:38citizen who is one-year-old daughter is trapped in an Iraqi war zone.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42Attempts to get her a passport store at the Home Office. After persistent
0:41:42 > 0:41:47attempts to meet the Minister, I was assured my constituent could make a
0:41:47 > 0:41:52fresh application and the fee would be waived, but the Home Office have
0:41:52 > 0:41:56kept the papers and told him he must get new ones from Baghdad. Given
0:41:56 > 0:42:01that this is a British citizen's child make sure that we can resolve
0:42:01 > 0:42:07the situation?I am happy to make the honourable lady. I am aware of
0:42:07 > 0:42:11the case and it is very complex, but I would be happy to meet her and
0:42:11 > 0:42:18have a conversation.I am grateful for my honourable friend agreed to
0:42:18 > 0:42:21meet with the Northamptonshire County Council to discuss the
0:42:21 > 0:42:23financial support that the government gives to the local
0:42:23 > 0:42:28authority to accommodate these children. Would he keep the level of
0:42:28 > 0:42:33the appropriateness of that funding and dreaded?My honourable friend
0:42:33 > 0:42:41makes a good point. We do keep these things and a rebuke. It was changed
0:42:41 > 0:42:45in 2016 and I look forward to having further conversations with councils
0:42:45 > 0:42:55such as these that do excellent work to help people.Number 13.Thank
0:42:55 > 0:43:01you, Mr Speaker. No pressure. We are taking a range of actions to tackle
0:43:01 > 0:43:03knife crime and I am particularly concerned that children and young
0:43:03 > 0:43:09people do not carry knives. Early prevention is key which is why we
0:43:09 > 0:43:14have launched the new anti-knife community fund worth half £1 million
0:43:14 > 0:43:17for a voluntary groups who work with children and young people to support
0:43:17 > 0:43:22early intervention and prevention projects. The successful bids will
0:43:22 > 0:43:31be announced very shortly.On behalf of the honourable friends on the
0:43:31 > 0:43:35side of the House, can I congratulate the Minister on her
0:43:35 > 0:43:40appointment. She has responded well. Does she agree with me that it is
0:43:40 > 0:43:44concerned that knife crime in London is rising under this may under the
0:43:44 > 0:43:49last year? Does she agree with me also that the decision to close
0:43:49 > 0:43:53Wimbledon police station is wrong headed in that regard?I thank my
0:43:53 > 0:43:58honourable friend for his kind comments. Every death from knife
0:43:58 > 0:44:02crime is a tragedy for the families, friends and communities in which
0:44:02 > 0:44:06that death occurred. That is why knife crime is a government priority
0:44:06 > 0:44:10and includes works such as supporting intervention with young
0:44:10 > 0:44:14people when they entered hospital and accident and emergency units to
0:44:14 > 0:44:19reach them at a vulnerable time and also supporting the police in their
0:44:19 > 0:44:24work which this July saw 32 forces involved in a week of action which
0:44:24 > 0:44:30resulted in nearly 3000 knives being seized recovered. In terms of his
0:44:30 > 0:44:35local police station, since 2015 we have protected overall police
0:44:35 > 0:44:38spending in real terms and crime is traditionally measured by the crime
0:44:38 > 0:44:43survey in England and Wales have fallen by over a third says 2010,
0:44:43 > 0:44:47but any decisions on police stations are a matter for police and crime
0:44:47 > 0:44:53commissioners and in the case of London for the of London.In the
0:44:53 > 0:44:56kindest spirit I welcome the Minister, but please look at the
0:44:56 > 0:45:02facts. We cannot confront knife crime without the plays on the
0:45:02 > 0:45:06streets and also the police that used to have the time to go into
0:45:06 > 0:45:11schools to talk to students. That budget is being cut. Will she look
0:45:11 > 0:45:16again at the capacity of the police to be on the streets and in the
0:45:16 > 0:45:20schools?I thank the honourable gentleman for his question. This is
0:45:20 > 0:45:24a matter I hope that we can work with across the House because knife
0:45:24 > 0:45:29crime sadly affects most of our constituencies. In terms of actions
0:45:29 > 0:45:35the government is taking at a national level we are supporting the
0:45:35 > 0:45:38peace with operation sector which has had a great deal of success, but
0:45:38 > 0:45:41also the emphasis on local police forces doing their bit, knowing that
0:45:41 > 0:45:45rain and the local population and targeting with intelligence led
0:45:45 > 0:45:50targets to make sure we get the people who carry these knives.We
0:45:50 > 0:45:53are running late, but the voice of Amber Valley must be heard. Mr Nigel
0:45:53 > 0:46:04Mills.Can I show my honourable friend the new formula will not be
0:46:04 > 0:46:07introduced without full public consultation and we are completing
0:46:07 > 0:46:12our review of demand and resilience in the police system ahead of the
0:46:12 > 0:46:181819 funding settlement.Derbyshire has been badly affected by the
0:46:18 > 0:46:22current formula, so would much appreciate progress on the new
0:46:22 > 0:46:27formula. Can you show my local police force that there will be an
0:46:27 > 0:46:31inflationary rise in their funding for next year?I have spoken
0:46:31 > 0:46:35directly to both the police and crime commission in Derbyshire and
0:46:35 > 0:46:41the chief to get an update on the performance of the service and the
0:46:41 > 0:46:46demand on it and that will feed into the review that I have signalled and
0:46:46 > 0:46:54that in turn will feed into decisions about the 1819 funding.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57The Minister says he wants evidence for peace funding, how about the
0:46:57 > 0:47:07document that every PCC signed up to in the country. It wants you to know
0:47:07 > 0:47:13that up to 6000 police officers could be lost. If the Minister
0:47:13 > 0:47:18thinks the UK's most senior police leaders are wrong, when he commit
0:47:18 > 0:47:21today that there will be no further cuts to police officer numbers
0:47:21 > 0:47:27during this Parliament?I can confirm that decisions about please
0:47:27 > 0:47:31funding have not been finalised but will be done shortly and an
0:47:31 > 0:47:35announcement will be made to the House as part of the grant
0:47:35 > 0:47:40settlement for 1819 in the usual way. To the report she cites, that
0:47:40 > 0:47:44is a report we worked with closely because the Home Office and the
0:47:44 > 0:47:48police system did want to understand and do a proper job on our
0:47:48 > 0:47:56understanding of the pressure the police are under which is real.I
0:47:56 > 0:48:00recently returned from America and would like to update the House on
0:48:00 > 0:48:09progress made there. Along with the US Justice Department I work with
0:48:09 > 0:48:11representatives from Google, Facebook and Twitter. I was
0:48:11 > 0:48:16encouraged by the development of a project, ground-breaking software
0:48:16 > 0:48:20developed by the Canadian Centre for Child protection, backed by
0:48:20 > 0:48:23significant investment from this government, as well as start-up
0:48:23 > 0:48:28funding from Google. The technology proactively detect child sexual
0:48:28 > 0:48:33abuse material online and issues notices to content posts so they can
0:48:33 > 0:48:38remove it. It has so far recall of 1 billion web pages and approximately
0:48:38 > 0:48:43300,000 images of child sexual abuse have been vetted. Appalling images
0:48:43 > 0:48:49of children being abused have absolutely no place on our Internet
0:48:49 > 0:48:56in our society and we will work internationally to achieve that.In
0:48:56 > 0:49:01December the police and crime act of 2017 would stop police cells from
0:49:01 > 0:49:06being a place of safety from people being detained. In Lincolnshire
0:49:06 > 0:49:09there will be only four hospital-based places of safety and
0:49:09 > 0:49:16two of those are in Lincoln's PhD. Last year people were detained in
0:49:16 > 0:49:20police cells because there were no other options. Will the Minister
0:49:20 > 0:49:26give us your is that there will be money made available to provide
0:49:26 > 0:49:29adequate insurance for this change. The government has made £30 million
0:49:29 > 0:49:35worth of funding to improve places of safety provision and half of that
0:49:35 > 0:49:40has been allocated. A second round of funding opened on the 18th of
0:49:40 > 0:49:44October. The legislation provides that any suitable place may be used
0:49:44 > 0:49:49as a place of safety to help supplement local provision.I
0:49:49 > 0:49:53welcome the reduction in traditional crime, but we face challenges around
0:49:53 > 0:49:59online crime. On Friday I attended a workshop educating my constituents
0:49:59 > 0:50:04on how to keep safe online. How is the Home Office working with the
0:50:04 > 0:50:09police and other stakeholders to tackle online crime?Like the
0:50:09 > 0:50:12honourable member I met recently with a number of banks to discuss
0:50:12 > 0:50:16how they can help contribute to keep people safe online. Barclays Bank
0:50:16 > 0:50:21have done an extremely good job with its latest campaign, as has the Nat
0:50:21 > 0:50:25West. The government works closely with them to make sure we come up
0:50:25 > 0:50:28with joint responses and help each other fund the problems we need to
0:50:28 > 0:50:37tackle.Will the Minister reassures that any scheduled repayments do not
0:50:37 > 0:50:41have a negative impact on the residents of Sunder land and wider
0:50:41 > 0:50:43tying and we are due to the restraints of the cap on the
0:50:43 > 0:50:50precept?I am aware of this issue and I am more than happy to have a
0:50:50 > 0:50:56meeting with her to give her the assurances she seeks.Will my right
0:50:56 > 0:51:01honourable friend confirm that the UK will continue to be at the very
0:51:01 > 0:51:04forefront of international intelligence and security
0:51:04 > 0:51:06cooperation working with our international partners after we
0:51:06 > 0:51:12leave the EU?We made a very ambitious and full offer in terms of
0:51:12 > 0:51:16law enforcement and national security to our partners in the EU
0:51:16 > 0:51:20and we hope to move forward in a positive way, ensuring the security
0:51:20 > 0:51:26and safety of the people in the UK and our partners in Europe as well.
0:51:26 > 0:51:32Can I welcome the new minister to her role and warmly invite her to
0:51:32 > 0:51:37come to the all-party Parliamentary group on knife crime which I chair.
0:51:37 > 0:51:42The Metropolitan Police Commissioner told us she has to find £400 million
0:51:42 > 0:51:46savings over the next two years despite the Mayor of London using
0:51:46 > 0:51:52the maximum precept he is allowed. This means 10% less police officers,
0:51:52 > 0:51:57less prevention, less serious crime investigation at a time when violent
0:51:57 > 0:52:01crime and knife crime is rising. Will the Minister pass this onto the
0:52:01 > 0:52:05Treasury and asked for more police funds in the budget?Some of these
0:52:05 > 0:52:09enquiries are very good, but there is an emerging tendency for
0:52:09 > 0:52:13colleagues to have a script prepared. Forgive me, but it is
0:52:13 > 0:52:17rather too long for topical questions. It may be exceptionally
0:52:17 > 0:52:20good and delivered with brilliance in every case but it is too long and
0:52:20 > 0:52:26it is taking too much time. Can I ask colleagues pleased for future
0:52:26 > 0:52:29reference to try to curb this tendency because you are crowding
0:52:29 > 0:52:36out in the colleagues who might also wish to take.As a London MP can I
0:52:36 > 0:52:40assure the honourable lady I want them to have the resources they need
0:52:40 > 0:52:44and to my eyes they do in the sense that the number of resources and
0:52:44 > 0:52:49police officers per head is far and away above anything else in the
0:52:49 > 0:52:53country for good reason. I do not recognise her 400 million because no
0:52:53 > 0:52:57decisions have been made yet about funding settlement. That
0:52:57 > 0:53:03announcement will be made shortly. The return to the UK of those who
0:53:03 > 0:53:09have fought for Isis is of grave concern. Is my honourable friend
0:53:09 > 0:53:13sure that the Home Office has the necessary powers to deal with them
0:53:13 > 0:53:17and neutralise any dangers they might pose?The honourable member
0:53:17 > 0:53:22makes a valid point about the threat these people pose. Where we have
0:53:22 > 0:53:25evidence we will prosecute and have prosecuted in the past people who go
0:53:25 > 0:53:32and fight if they commit an offence overseas. We use temporary exclusion
0:53:32 > 0:53:41orders, deprivation of citizenship to make sure that we get this
0:53:41 > 0:53:45sorted.Very good of the honourable gentleman to drop in on us. We are
0:53:45 > 0:53:53obliged.Research shows that women who have survived rape and other
0:53:53 > 0:54:02forms of gender violence are still being routinely detained. Will the
0:54:02 > 0:54:04Minister urgently assess why the guidance is failing these vulnerable
0:54:04 > 0:54:12women?I thank the honourable gentleman for drawing attention to
0:54:12 > 0:54:17this important matter. I am aware of it. I think it is essential that
0:54:17 > 0:54:21this guidance is properly adhered to and I will be looking into it to
0:54:21 > 0:54:24have conversations with the Minister of Justice to ensure that is the
0:54:24 > 0:54:31case.Women who have suffered sexual assault are at great risk of mental
0:54:31 > 0:54:35illness. Could my right honourable friend advise what steps the
0:54:35 > 0:54:38government is taking to support women's mental health following a
0:54:38 > 0:54:44sexual assault?I thank my honourable friend for her question
0:54:44 > 0:54:50and she has led a strong campaign for ensuring mental health and more
0:54:50 > 0:54:54notice is taken of it. Rape and sexual violence are devastating
0:54:54 > 0:54:57crimes and the government is committed to ensuring that every
0:54:57 > 0:55:02victim has access to the specialist support they need including mental
0:55:02 > 0:55:07health services. The government is protecting funding of over £6.4
0:55:07 > 0:55:11million to over 85 female rate support prices in England and Wales
0:55:11 > 0:55:19providing specialist support to female victims. In 2017-18, the
0:55:19 > 0:55:24government will provide £27 million to specialist sexual assault
0:55:24 > 0:55:30referral services in England and Wales.One of my constituents needs
0:55:30 > 0:55:38to take an English test and will the Minister agree to personally
0:55:38 > 0:55:43intervene in this case and release my constituents from Limbo?I am
0:55:43 > 0:55:47happy to look into that particular case.
0:55:47 > 0:55:56Thank you. There has been a spate of crimes in a wrong quiet village of
0:55:56 > 0:55:59my constituency, culminating in a popular local vet being attacked by
0:55:59 > 0:56:04a hammer and having his cast all on Friday last week. The Police and
0:56:04 > 0:56:06Crime Commissioner says the Home Office is getting more money from
0:56:06 > 0:56:09the Treasury for policing but not passing it on to police forces. So
0:56:09 > 0:56:14can the secretary commit that West Yorkshire Police will get sufficient
0:56:14 > 0:56:18funding so that West Yorkshire Police can catch his vile thugs and
0:56:18 > 0:56:23that people in Willesden can sleep easily at night once again?Can I
0:56:23 > 0:56:26restate what the Home Secretary said at the top. We are determined to
0:56:26 > 0:56:29make sure the police have the resources they need, which is why
0:56:29 > 0:56:33we're doing a review of... I believe I have spoken to his police
0:56:33 > 0:56:40colleagues personally. The decisions about the funding settlement will be
0:56:40 > 0:56:45put before the House shortly. And rather than, we have hundreds of
0:56:45 > 0:56:48new cases of child sexual to them which lay thousands of adult
0:56:48 > 0:56:51survivors who have not received support or justice. Two weeks ago,
0:56:51 > 0:56:56the Home Office rejected our application for additional funding
0:56:56 > 0:56:59for victims and survivors. Will the new minister please meet with me,
0:56:59 > 0:57:02the council and police so we can actually find a solution once and
0:57:02 > 0:57:07for all for his victims and survivors?Thank you to the
0:57:07 > 0:57:11honourable member for her question. She has done a great deal of work on
0:57:11 > 0:57:15this area for her constituents. I would be pleased to meet her and
0:57:15 > 0:57:19relevant parties to discuss this further.
0:57:22 > 0:57:27Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rural parts of Rochester and Strood have
0:57:27 > 0:57:31suffered from a real increase in levels of anti-social behaviour.
0:57:31 > 0:57:35June two it being in a rural area, support from the police and PCSOs
0:57:35 > 0:57:40can sometimes be difficult, leaving troublemakers free to trouble
0:57:40 > 0:57:45residents. Will the Minister look at how we can best support in areas
0:57:45 > 0:57:53like this? -- boost support.Can I reassure my honourable friend that
0:57:53 > 0:57:58they have spoken to every single police force in England and Wales,
0:57:58 > 0:58:02including in her constituency. I'm well aware of the concern from
0:58:02 > 0:58:04colleagues particularly from rural areas about pressure on the police
0:58:04 > 0:58:07will stop that feeds into the process I have described, the
0:58:07 > 0:58:12decisions of the Government has to take, evidence -based about what is
0:58:12 > 0:58:19the right funding settlement.I ask the Home Secretary whether or not
0:58:19 > 0:58:24you will take steps to ensure police forces have better resources to roll
0:58:24 > 0:58:32out domestic violence protection orders more widely.I can reassure
0:58:32 > 0:58:36the honourable gentleman that we will always reassure police forces
0:58:36 > 0:58:47have that his orgies that they need. -- Resorts -- the resources.What
0:58:47 > 0:58:54can we do to protect vulnerable individuals but punish those who
0:58:54 > 0:59:00bring vulnerable children into those types of persons?It is a
0:59:00 > 0:59:04combination of enforcement and early intervention. Enforcement because
0:59:04 > 0:59:06that sort of illegal abuse of children is wholly acceptable and we
0:59:06 > 0:59:10need to make sure we stop it. We also need to make sure children do
0:59:10 > 0:59:16not fall victims to the sort of words that might be said to them and
0:59:16 > 0:59:19they could fall into the trap of using drugs. It is a combination of
0:59:19 > 0:59:26enforcement and early intervention. One third of the 110 firearms
0:59:26 > 0:59:30incidents on Merseyside and last year have resulted in injury.
0:59:30 > 0:59:34Indeed, there was yet gun injury in my constituency last month. -- yet
0:59:34 > 0:59:39another. What will Home Secretary do to make sure Merseyside Police can
0:59:39 > 0:59:46deal with this increasing threat?Mr Speaker, I met with a number of
0:59:46 > 0:59:49Merseyside MPs recently about that threat and I speak to her Chief
0:59:49 > 0:59:53Constable every week on the subject. After the initial meeting, I looked
0:59:53 > 0:59:56at the proposals being offered by the Home Office and asked them to go
0:59:56 > 0:59:59back and look again for more assistance for Merseyside and the
0:59:59 > 1:00:05wider region. I think more needs to be done and that is why we are
1:00:05 > 1:00:07investing in the network. I will continue to meet with them to make
1:00:07 > 1:00:10sure we get results.I'm sure the whole house will welcome the fact
1:00:10 > 1:00:13that more women who have been victims of domestic abuse are coming
1:00:13 > 1:00:17forward to report crimes. What is our department doing to make sure
1:00:17 > 1:00:19that these people are properly supported by the criminal justice
1:00:19 > 1:00:25system and we get more successful prosecutions?I thank my honourable
1:00:25 > 1:00:28friend for raising this important issue. Victims of domestic violence
1:00:28 > 1:00:32and abuse deserve the best treatment and justice. Despite record numbers
1:00:32 > 1:00:36of prosecutions and convictions, sadly there are still nearly 2
1:00:36 > 1:00:39million victims of domestic abuse every year in England and well. This
1:00:39 > 1:00:44is precisely why the Prime Minister but at the centre of the Queen's
1:00:44 > 1:00:48speech a new domestic abuse Bill. I look forward to this being a bill
1:00:48 > 1:00:51around which we can all agree and coalesce because this bill will
1:00:51 > 1:00:57tackle violence in the home, helping victims and making sure that the
1:00:57 > 1:01:02perpetrators who commit his vile crimes are brought to justice.I met
1:01:02 > 1:01:08with some students from a six form college who spoke persistently about
1:01:08 > 1:01:13knife crime and gang activity and the rising levels of both. Is that
1:01:13 > 1:01:17entirely unconnected with closing police stations... I don't have a
1:01:17 > 1:01:22single one open my constituency. And following police numbers.The issue
1:01:22 > 1:01:26of closing police stations is a matter for local police crime
1:01:26 > 1:01:31commissioners to decide how to handle. The issue for young people
1:01:31 > 1:01:34and most crime is incredibly serious. We are seeing the age of
1:01:34 > 1:01:39perpetrators reducing and we need to make sure that early intervention is
1:01:39 > 1:01:44in place so that they understand the dangers of carrying a knife. We also
1:01:44 > 1:01:47have introduced legislation to ensure that someone is caught
1:01:47 > 1:01:52carrying a knife twice, they will be a custodial sentence. It is a of
1:01:52 > 1:01:57prevention and enforcement.A member cannot ask two questions in
1:01:57 > 1:02:01substantive is or topical. A member can try to do one in each, but
1:02:01 > 1:02:04attempting to do a bit more than that is possibly biting off more
1:02:04 > 1:02:15than one can get. Wanting more bytes of the cherry.In this House, the
1:02:15 > 1:02:17Home Secretary told me that some papers would be withheld from the
1:02:17 > 1:02:23Cyril Smith enquiry for national security reasons. This week, the
1:02:23 > 1:02:27prime ministers threaten to me to say that, we're clear the work of
1:02:27 > 1:02:29the security services will not prevent information being shared
1:02:29 > 1:02:34with other such enquiries. So can she confirm that the survivors of
1:02:34 > 1:02:39Errol Smith, who are waiting for justice for decades, that she is
1:02:39 > 1:02:44wrong the premise to reflect?I am happy to confirm the prime ministers
1:02:44 > 1:02:48always right. I will certainly look carefully at the V honourable lady
1:02:48 > 1:02:53has received to ensure we comply with that. -- at the letter that the
1:02:53 > 1:02:59honourable lady.Does the Home Office accepted there are some areas
1:02:59 > 1:03:09like anti-social behaviour, other areas of work that are in danger of
1:03:09 > 1:03:12being undermined unless specific resources are made available,
1:03:12 > 1:03:19especially for hard-pressed forces like the West Midlands?We have
1:03:19 > 1:03:22accepted the police forces are under pressure, and that is because of the
1:03:22 > 1:03:28high levels of activity from terrorism we have seen this year. It
1:03:28 > 1:03:32is unprecedented. And because of the success of more people reporting on
1:03:32 > 1:03:37issues such as exportation and child abuse. We are looking at what we can
1:03:37 > 1:03:41do, which is why we have invited comments from all police forces and
1:03:41 > 1:03:44we will take that into account.Any chance for a single sentence
1:03:44 > 1:03:52enquiry?18 months since the models leave the active into force, can
1:03:52 > 1:03:57ministers say they will start to use it? -- the Modern Slavery Bill came
1:03:57 > 1:04:03into force.I am proud of the work is Government has done on the modern
1:04:03 > 1:04:07slavery act and the fact that the Arab world leader on delivering on.
1:04:07 > 1:04:10We will always make sure we protect people who have been victims of
1:04:10 > 1:04:13Modern Slavery Bill. If the honourable gentleman wants to write
1:04:13 > 1:04:18to me about his concern, I will be happy to address it.The honourable
1:04:18 > 1:04:22gentleman has set a very good example, below which others would
1:04:22 > 1:04:29not want to fall.Thank you. I understand the Home Secretary met a
1:04:29 > 1:04:33constituent of mine at an event on the 26th of July this year and
1:04:33 > 1:04:38assured her that she would monitor her case and not go away and forget
1:04:38 > 1:04:41about the conversation. Could the Home Secretary have a fresh look at
1:04:41 > 1:04:45this case for me, please? My constituent has now been waiting for
1:04:45 > 1:04:52three years and was to get on with her life. -- wants.I would say to
1:04:52 > 1:04:55the honourable lady that every case matters. Everyone is an individual
1:04:55 > 1:04:58looking for help. If the honourable lady was to meet me afterwards and
1:04:58 > 1:05:01give me details of the individual she has raised, I will certainly
1:05:01 > 1:05:06look at it.Surely a Kingston and Surbiton might of the realm must
1:05:06 > 1:05:15"Private... -- must "Brevity...I will try. As she read the crime
1:05:15 > 1:05:21figures of England and Wells and the different outcomes they have? Will
1:05:21 > 1:05:27she read it and send me your comments on it?Mr Speaker, I think
1:05:27 > 1:05:30you have been given an essay question here next Mac I have read
1:05:30 > 1:05:34it and I am aware of the issues it raises. The fact recorded crime is
1:05:34 > 1:05:40on the rise and does not... But there are disparities on that,
1:05:40 > 1:05:42depending on different types of crime. That partially cancels his
1:05:42 > 1:05:48Weston and perhaps at a later time we can discuss it. Very grateful for
1:05:48 > 1:05:55your cooperation and tumour.Urgent question, Gordon Marsden. --
1:05:55 > 1:05:57cooperation and good