Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral statement on Security Threat to UK-Based Journalists of 20 February 2023, Official Report columns 49-51, what steps she is taking to help protect the safety of the Jewish community.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat
We take any threat to the UK-based Jewish community extremely seriously. As the Security Minister said in this House on 20 February, we are taking significant steps to address the activities of the Iranian regime and its operatives in the UK – whether those activities are threatening the Jewish community or any individuals or organisations in this country. However, the community should be alert but not alarmed.
In April 2022, the then Home Secretary announced continuation of the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant for 2022-23 (for £14 million) which provides protective security measures at various Jewish community sites. In November we circulated protective security messaging to charity Community Security Trust to help keep the Jewish community aware of the threat posed by Iran, and signpost towards the government’s online security advice hubs.
More broadly, we take a proactive approach to countering the most acute forms of state-directed physical threats to individuals in the UK. Working through our police forces – both national and regional – as well as the agencies that support them, we seek to identify those communities and individuals who may be most at risk, and to provide them with the right protective security guidance, and other measures where appropriate.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral statement on Security Threat to UK-Based Journalists of 20 February 2023, Official Report columns 49-51, what recent discussions (a) she and (b) her Department have had with representatives of the Community Security Trust on potential threats to the Jewish community.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat
The Security Minister recently met with representatives of the Community Security Trust on 27 February, for a very useful discussion on certain security issues affecting the Jewish community.
We recognise that the Community Security Trust remains a highly trusted and expert delivery partner of HMG, with considerable experience of providing protective security for the Jewish community.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Annual reports 2019 to 2021, published on 26 October 2022, for what reasons incidents of non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, for which the remedy was not solely inspector advice, increased between 2018 and 2021.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The 2018 Animal in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) annual report explains that several non-compliance cases were detected in 2018, but investigations were not completed until 2019. Available at (p26): www.gov.uk/government/publications/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-report-2018. These completed investigations were then reported in the 2019 ASRU annual report.
The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) has published its compliance framework which identifies and investigates potential incidents of non-compliance and decides on appropriate and proportionate measures to minimise the risk of recurrence. Available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of enforcement action taken in response to the breaches of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that are set out in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit’s annual reports for 2019-2021.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Home Office take any allegations regarding non-compliance with the law, the Code of Practice or licence conditions very seriously.
The Compliance Policy, found here: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa) explains how the Regulator identifies and investigates potential incidents of non-compliance and decides on appropriate and proportionate measures aimed to minimise the risk of recurrence.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government's proscription of Hamas.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Hamas’ military wing was proscribed in the UK in 2001.
The investigation and prosecution of proscription offences is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service. It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further on such matters. Anyone that professes support for, or who is a member of Military Wing risks being investigated by the police for proscription offences.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of drug safety testing facilities in city centres to prevent drug-related harm in the night-time economy.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
No recent assessment has been made of the potential merits or risks of drug testing facilities at festivals, events or in city centres.
No illicit drug can be assumed to be safe and there is no safe way to take illicit drugs. The possession, supply or production of a controlled drug without a licence - where one is needed - is a criminal offence. Tackling drug misuse requires a system wide approach, and a need to work closely with local partners.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of drug safety testing for (a) festivals and (b) events in the night-time economy.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
No recent assessment has been made of the potential merits or risks of drug testing facilities at festivals, events or in city centres.
No illicit drug can be assumed to be safe and there is no safe way to take illicit drugs. The possession, supply or production of a controlled drug without a licence - where one is needed - is a criminal offence. Tackling drug misuse requires a system wide approach, and a need to work closely with local partners.
Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)
Question to the Home Office:
What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government's proscription of Hamas.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Hamas’ military wing was proscribed in the UK in 2001.
Proscription is a powerful tool. The investigation and prosecution of proscription offences is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service.
It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further on such matters however, anyone that professes support for, or who is a member of Hamas, risks being investigated by the police for proscription offences.