Topical Questions

Answer from James Cleverly

This year, the Home Office will continue to build on our progress on the public priorities: a 36% fall in small boat crossings last year, 86 arrests of small boat pilots, 246 arrests of people smugglers, the biggest-ever international operation resulting in 136 boat seizures and 45 outboard motors being seized, the illegal migration package announced, more than 2,000 county lines drugs lines smashed and the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill to give police leaders more powers. We are relentlessly focused on delivering community safety on behalf of the British people.

Answer from James Cleverly

I am the Home Secretary who has actually introduced action on this. In my first week in the job, I visited Holborn police station to see the work of the Metropolitan police in tackling violence against women and girls. I made it clear to the Home Office that my priority was the protection of women and girls. I am taking action on this issue, and I am absolutely determined to continue doing so.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

My hon. Friend will have seen recently a pretty extraordinary report on allegations about extremism and the failure to train properly, and what is going on in universities around the United Kingdom. In one recent problematic case, it was said that it is very hard to define what a terrorist is. We know what a terrorist is, the law knows what a terrorist is and this Government know what a terrorist is, and that is exactly why we have just proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Answer from James Cleverly

I join the right hon. Lady in expressing sadness and condolences for those who lost their lives in the channel. That reinforces the importance of breaking the people-smuggling gangs. The fact is that we are driving down the numbers of people in the backlog: we are processing applications more quickly and ensuring that decisions are made so that those who should not be in this country can be removed either to their own country or a safe third country. That is why the Rwanda Bill is so important, and why we will continue working on these issues.

Answer from James Cleverly

Conservative Members of Parliament are absolutely united in our desire to get a grip of this issue. I am not the person who has held up a sign saying, “Refugees welcome”; I am not the person whose colleagues oppose each and every rhetorical flourish. Until the Labour party comes up with a credible plan, I will not take its criticism any more seriously than it deserves.

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

We are clear that foreign criminals should be deported wherever possible, and we will continue to do so, in stark contrast to the calls to stop the deportation of foreign national criminals from the Leader of the Opposition and the Labour party. My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that foreign national offender returns have increased by 19% in the last 12 months.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I think the hon. Gentleman means Labour's non-existent plan. The fact is that last year, we made 112,000 initial decisions; if the hon. Gentleman has specific cases that he wishes to raise with me as the Minister, I am very happy to have a look at those, but the productivity improvements that we saw last year carry through a lot of learning as we now get on and deal with the backlog. A lot of positive work has gone on, and he should recognise that point.

Answer from Chris Philp

I join my hon. Friend in commending Humberside police force on the progress it has made under chief constable Lee Freeman, who is now one of His Majesty's inspectors and can apply what he learned to improve leadership across the country.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We are continuing to work collaboratively on the response to Afghanistan and will say more about our efforts as soon as we can.

Answer from Laura Farris

We have amended the Offences against the Person Act, and we are investing in rapid drink testing research to address the issue of time between offence and toxicology report.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We disagree with the interpretation that the revision was insufficient and are focusing on domestic employment support through the back to work plan.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

We have committed £18 million to the Community Security Trust and £7 million for academic security due to a rise in antisemitism.

Answer from James Cleverly

We recognise the legitimacy of protests and their impact on communities. Repeating them does not strengthen arguments, but we see abuse by others.

Answer from James Cleverly

If the hon. Lady writes on this issue, I will endeavour to find out details of her point.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

My hon. Friend is a very passionate advocate on this issue, and we had a conversation last week about this very point. The fact is that, since 2015, we have welcomed over half a million people through our safe and legal routes. We are introducing the cap precisely because we want to see that generosity extended in the years ahead, but the pressures of illegal migration in particular make that very challenging and difficult.