Topical Questions 2023-09-18
2023-09-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
There is widespread concern about the threat to national security from Chinese espionage activities in the UK.
I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that statement. She will know there is continuing widespread concern about the threat to our national security from the whole-of-state approach China takes to espionage activities. I urge her to ensure our response mirrors this, putting China in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme.
National security is our overriding priority. As Home Secretary, it is my job to oversee protection from all threats. The Intelligence and Security Committee has said Chinese intelligence services target UK interests prolifically and aggressively. We are reviewing countries for the enhanced tier of FIRS; there is a strong case for China, but I do not want to prejudice the process.
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Assessment & feedback
I Do Not Want To Prejudice The Process
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
20,000 more people have arrived since the Home Secretary's statement on ending small boat crossings. The use of asylum hotels is up with no end date.
On 7 March, the Home Secretary emailed supporters saying 'today we're changing our laws—and bringing the small boat crossings to an end.' Since then, 20,000 more people have arrived. She is not applying her own law because it does not work. The use of asylum hotels is up, with no date to end their use, and foreign criminal returns are down. Is that why the Home Secretary is getting rid of the chief inspector?
I am proud of landmark legislation passed, allowing detention and removal to safe countries. Labour opposes this and does not have a plan for stopping boats.
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Assessment & feedback
Making It Up As They Go Along
Not Based In Reality
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary is accused of avoiding scrutiny by removing key officials.
What the Home Secretary said is total waffle. She has no answer on the inspector because she is afraid of scrutiny. There was no answer on her failure, just invented garbage about Labour. The only people removed are those needed to do the job. Since becoming Home Secretary, there has been a 40% increase in asylum hotels. When will she end their use? When will she deal with this shambles?
The right hon. Lady talks about a shambles, but Labour's plan is delusional and not based in reality.
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Assessment & feedback
Labour Is On Another Planet
Not Grappling With The Challenge
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Illegal car racing meets impact constituents and businesses. Labour council is slow to implement PSPO, while Kent police face increasing burdens.
Constituents and businesses are being impacted by illegal car racing and meets. The Labour council is dragging its heels on implementing a public spaces protection order and Kent police have been working hard but resources are precious. Will my right hon. and learned Friend look at how Kent police are funded?
Kent has record police officer numbers at 4,261. We intend to review the police funding formula. I strongly urge Medway Council to get on with putting PSPO in place.
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Assessment & feedback
Strongly Urging Council To Implement Pspo
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent is repeatedly questioned about citizenship by UK border guards.
Since we left the EU, my constituent—a UK citizen from birth—is repeatedly stopped by UK border guards and had his citizenship questioned. Is this British Government satisfied that customs and immigration system is so chaotic that their own citizens are being othered?
I have no idea what the hon. Lady is referring to, but I would be very happy to look into that individual case.
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Assessment & feedback
Having No Idea About The Reference
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Dozens of Traveller caravans have been illegally pitched in Warrington South, impacting local playing fields and costing thousands to clear up. Despite budget funds, the Labour council has not brought forward proposals.
Over the summer, dozens of Traveller caravans have been illegally pitched in my Warrington South constituency, impacting playing fields in Appleton Thorn, Bewsey and Dallam, and costing thousands to clear up. Warrington's Labour council has avoided bringing forward proposals, despite having money in its budget. Does the Minister agree that local authorities need to play their full part so that the police can be effective in using the legislation passed by this House?
Yes, I do agree; local councils should be robust in using the powers this House granted them, as should the police in terms of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The police do have strong powers under the amended Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and I urge police forces up and down the country to use those powers.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
A number of violent assaults have occurred at Co-op stores in Steve McCabe's constituency, leading to concerns about retail crime. The question follows an earlier discussion where the Minister hinted at tougher measures.
We heard a little about retail crime earlier and it is a real issue in Birmingham, where a number of ugly, violent assaults on staff have taken place at Co-op stores in my constituency. I was pleased to hear the Minister's earlier response. However, with less than 4% of about 8 million crimes actually recorded by the police, when can we expect to see the tougher measures he hinted at earlier?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I met representatives of the Co-op just a week or two ago and his chief constable, Amanda Blakeman, who leads on this for the National Police Chiefs' Council. At my request, the police are working up a plan to make sure that they always look into the CCTV footage to try to get a facial recognition match, in order to arrest and prosecute shoplifters, and that they patrol a lot more regularly in areas where shoplifting is a problem.
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Assessment & feedback
specific timeline for tougher measures
Working Up A Plan
Response accuracy