Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation her Department conducted with (a) West Lindsey District Council, (b) Lincolnshire County Council, (c) local NHS, police and fire services and (d) other statutory local agencies before deciding to host asylum seekers at the former RAF Scampton.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office have engaged with a number of key stakeholders, including local authorities, on sourcing appropriate accommodation for asylum seekers. We are committed to engaging with key stakeholders and local partners to ensure this site is delivered successfully.
For all sites, we are considering the impact on local services including the NHS, police and fire services and working with local partners to develop bespoke plans that take account of local environmental issues, heritage and any risks associated with each site. This includes extensive security and basic on-site healthcare provision to limit pressures on local NHS services.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department will take to maintain the runway at RAF Scampton in good working order while that site is being used to house asylum seekers.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Government values the rich heritage at RAF Scampton and is committed to preserving and enhancing the heritage assets at the site. The Home Office will not be using any of the heritage assets, including the runway, within our accommodation plans.
The Home Office has undertaken extensive engagement with Historic England. We are creating an Operational Management Plan (OMP) which will set out clear actions and responsibilities to protect the heritage assets at RAF Scampton.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the works at the former RAF base at Scampton to accommodate asylum seekers, when those works will commence; when those works will be completed; and what effect those works will have on existing heritage assets on that site.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Physical works on site will begin shortly. The work required will be completed as soon as possible.
The Home Office recognises the importance of the rich heritage at RAF Scampton and is committed to preserving and enhancing the heritage assets at the site. We will not be using any of the heritage assets, including the runway within our accommodation plans.
The Home Office has undertaken significant engagement with Historic England. We will create an Operational Management Plan (OMP) which will set out clear actions and responsibilities to protect the heritage assets at RAF Scampton.
We are aware of a planning application submitted by the RAF. This is a matter solely for West Lindsey district council planning department. Whatever decision is taken we will respect, and if any heritage asset is left in our care we will take the necessary steps to protect it.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of transferring RAF Scampton to the Home Department on the preservation of defence heritage.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The MInistry of Defence has had to make some difficult decisions to dispose of sites that have become surplus to military requirements in accordance with HM Treasury guidance on the management of surplus government land. Full consideration was given to the history and heritage of the site ahead of the decision to dispose, and plans to protect the heritage for future generations were put in place ahead of closure. These included relocating a number of heritage assets where appropriate, and ensuring the future owners are aware of their responsibilities in the preservation of all listed assets as is standard for all disposals. The responsibility of Scampton has now been officially transferred from the RAF to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, where the final processes will be completed before the site ownership is transferred to the Home Office, where it has been selected to temporarily house asylum seekers.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Material Safety Data Sheets for the disused buildings at the former RAF Scampton will be published publicly.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Material Safety Data Sheets for RAF Scampton will not be published publicly.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question
What steps her Department is taking to help ensure community participation in the celebration of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Coronation will be a historic moment to celebrate and strengthen our national identity and showcase the best of the UK to the world.
DCMS is leading a programme of events and projects enabling local communities across the UK to celebrate the Coronation.
This includes a national Coronation Big Lunch, street parties, and The Big Help Out - a day of community volunteering.
And Lottery distributors are making funds available for community events.
You can visit Coronation.gov.uk for information about the Coronation and ways to get involved.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the restrictions imposed by public spaces protection orders around abortion clinics with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities can impose Public Space Protection Orders to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. A local authority may impose a Public Space Protection Order if satisfied on reasonable grounds that activities carried on in a public place have, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.
Public Space Protection Orders have been imposed outside a number of abortion clinics, including in Ealing, Richmond, Manchester, Birmingham and Bournemouth.
Decisions regarding what restrictions are imposed are matters for local authorities, which are required to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights. This includes the balancing of Articles 9, 10 and 11 with Article 8 rights. The enforcement of PSPOs is a matter for local authorities and the police.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the the fine imposed on Adam Smith-Connor in Bournemouth in December 2022; and whether she plans to have a discussion with the Attorney General on a review of the provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 relating to the power to make Public Space Protection Orders in respect of fundamental rights of freedom of thought and religion.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities can impose Public Space Protection Orders to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. A local authority may impose a Public Space Protection Order if satisfied on reasonable grounds that activities carried on in a public place have, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.
Public Space Protection Orders have been imposed outside a number of abortion clinics, including in Ealing, Richmond, Manchester, Birmingham and Bournemouth.
Decisions regarding what restrictions are imposed are matters for local authorities, which are required to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights. This includes the balancing of Articles 9, 10 and 11 with Article 8 rights. The enforcement of PSPOs is a matter for local authorities and the police.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the (a) proportionality of the balance between freedom of expression and assembly and public order and (b) effectiveness of public spaces protection orders around abortion clinics.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities can impose Public Space Protection Orders to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. A local authority may impose a Public Space Protection Order if satisfied on reasonable grounds that activities carried on in a public place have, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.
Public Space Protection Orders have been imposed outside a number of abortion clinics, including in Ealing, Richmond, Manchester, Birmingham and Bournemouth.
Decisions regarding what restrictions are imposed are matters for local authorities, which are required to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights. This includes the balancing of Articles 9, 10 and 11 with Article 8 rights. The enforcement of PSPOs is a matter for local authorities and the police.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to publish the report from the Independent Faith Engagement Review.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
I refer my Rt Hon Friend to my answer to Question UIN 96636 on 30 November 2022.