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Written Question
Asylum: RAF Scampton
Thursday 14th March 2024

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse was of proposals to house asylum seekers at the former RAF base at Scampton.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

Cost information is prospective and commercially sensitive, and as such is not available to be released. The pressure on the asylum system from small boat arrivals has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which are more appropriate and offer better value for the taxpayer than expensive hotels.


Written Question
Asylum: Catterick Garrison
Monday 18th September 2023

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made recent progress on temporarily housing asylum seekers at Catterick Garrison; and what recent estimate she has made of when that site will begin receiving asylum seekers.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

The Home Office is considering a range of options to deliver accommodation requirements as part of the implementation of the Illegal Migration Act. Work is ongoing to bring forward accommodation at Catterick garrison as part of wider efforts to relieve pressure on the asylum system.


Written Question
RAF Scampton: Radioactive Materials
Tuesday 11th July 2023

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department have made an assessment of potential radioactivity levels at the former RAF base at Scampton.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

The Home Office will ensure that all accommodation is safe, habitable, fit for purpose and meets all regulatory requirements.


Written Question
Asylum: Military Bases
Friday 7th July 2023

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the potential cost per person per day of housing asylum seekers on former military bases.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

Cost information is prospective and commercially sensitive, and as such is not available to be released.


Written Question
RAF Scampton
Friday 9th June 2023

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2023 to Question 183657 on RAF Scampton, for what reason the Material Safety Data Sheets will not be published publicly.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

The Home Office do not publish health and safety documentation in relation to accommodation sites. Considerations and assessments will remain ongoing, and documentation may be released by the Home Office or other involved government departments if required.


Written Question
Asylum: RAF Scampton
Thursday 8th June 2023

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.


Written Question
Asylum: RAF Scampton
Friday 19th May 2023

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.


Written Question
Asylum: Housing
Tuesday 16th May 2023

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.


Written Question
RAF Scampton
Wednesday 10th May 2023

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.


Written Question
Abortion: Clinics
Wednesday 8th March 2023

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.