Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of foreign nationals or asylum seekers travelling from the Republic of Ireland to the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between the UK and Ireland to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge. As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the previous Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of foreign nationals or asylum seekers travelling to the Republic of Ireland from the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between the UK and Ireland to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge. As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the previous Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Army is reducing training activities to save money.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence keeps all spending, including Army training, under review to ensure the highest priorities are pursued in the face of an ever-changing threat.

Defence continues to prioritise training that delivers the greatest operational effect, while protecting essential readiness, operational commitments, safety-critical activity and our NATO commitments.

The Army continues to meet its operational requirements while adapting training to reflect lessons identified from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Through the Defence Investment Plan, Defence is investing £2 billion over 15 years to transform British Army training.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether discussions are ongoing with the government of Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on issues related to the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty.  We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland regarding the challenges posed by illegal immigration into both jurisdictions; and what plans they have to publish any agreed practical measures.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from Ireland to the UK, with no immigration checks being undertaken on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

In support of this the UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. A key focus of that collaboration is our shared commitment to protect the CTA from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens. Discussions are ongoing, including through the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF), an official-level forum co-chaired by the UK Home Office and Ireland's Department of Justice.

The Government does not routinely publish details of these discussions or any measures under consideration. However, where appropriate, information on joint activity or agreed measures may be announced publicly.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what checks are being conducted at the borders between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to prevent the entry into the UK of unauthorised migrants.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from Ireland to the UK, with no immigration checks being undertaken on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

In support of this the UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. A key focus of that collaboration is our shared commitment to protect the CTA from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens. Discussions are ongoing, including through the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF), an official-level forum co-chaired by the UK Home Office and Ireland's Department of Justice.

The Government does not routinely publish details of these discussions or any measures under consideration. However, where appropriate, information on joint activity or agreed measures may be announced publicly.

Found: Anderson of Ipswich Lord Bach Baroness Berridge Baroness Bertin Baroness Buscombe Lord Dubs Lord Empey

Found: Present: Lord Anderson of Ipswich Lord Bach Baroness Berridge Baroness Buscombe Lord Dubs Lord Empey

Found: Anderson of Ipswich; Lord Bach; Baroness Berridge; Baroness Bertin; Baroness Buscombe; Lord Dubs; Lord Empey

Found: Anderson of Ipswich; Lord Bach; Baroness Berridge; Baroness Bertin; Baroness Buscombe; Lord Dubs; Lord Empey

Found: Chair); Lord Anderson of Ipswich; Lord Bach; Baroness Berridge; Baroness Buscombe; Lord Dubs; Lord Empey