Extracts from Delegated
Legislation Committee consideration of the Draft Law Enforcement
and Security (Separation Issues etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations
2020
(St Helens
North) (Lab):...UK law enforcement agencies are concerned. They
still do not know what capabilities they will have, for example, in
relation to the Schengen information system, SIS II, which the UK
uses prolifically and we are set to lose. The alternative, as it
stands, is to fall back on the Interpol apparatus. Steve Rodhouse,
the National Crime Agency’sdirector general for
operations, made clear the impact of that loss. He said that there
are
“capability gaps affecting both sides which will reduce our
ability to… exchange real time alerts and data on persons and
objects of interest.”
...There is no certainty on Europol, and we have seen the
success of European co-operation through Operation Venetic, the
biggest and most significant law enforcement operation in the UK.
I pay tribute to the NCA for its incredible work
on that, but it was done in partnership with law enforcement
across Europe. It was instigated by the French and Dutch police
and it led to 756 arrests and the seizure of 2
tonnes of drugs, £54 million in illicit cash and 77
firearms in the UK alone. It saved
countless lives and took criminals off the streets. It is a
tangible product of European co-operation between law enforcement
agencies. We will also potentially lose future access to
passenger name records data and the Prüm database. I do not need
to outline the potential effect of that to the
Minister...
The Minister for Security ():...I shall respond to some of the points made by
the shadow Minister in relation to a non-negotiated outcome,
which I think was the main thrust of his remarks. In the event
that it is not possible to reach an agreement, the UK has
well-developed and well-rehearsed plans in place. He speaks about
the incredibly important role of the National Police Chiefs’
Council as well as the National Crime Agency and I pay
tribute to them for all their efforts and their work in seeking
to ensure that we are well prepared under any scenario. If the
shadow Minister looks at those letters, he will see that they
underline those organisations’ preparedness. I pay tribute again
to them for the work that they have put in...
...Steps have been taken by police, the
NCA and other partners to see that we are ready
and we have given them support. Clearly, we would like an
agreement with our European partners. That is where the
Government’s emphasis continues to be, and we remain positive
that even though gaps remain and even though time is short, that
can still be achieved in the time available. That is where the
Government’s focus remains.
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Extract from
Westminster Hall debate on Worker Exploitation: Leicester Textile
Industry
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ():...The
allegations of abuse in textiles manufacturing in Leicester that
are the subject of today’s debate are not new, as the hon. Member
for Leicester East () said. On the recommendation of the previous director
of labour market enforcement, Sir David Metcalf, the main
enforcement bodies undertook a pilot project with Leicester City
Council in 2018 to address the issues. In response to the most
recent allegations, as we have heard, a multi-agency taskforce
led by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority has been set up
in Leicester. It works closely with Leicester City Council.
Partners include HMRC, the Employment Agency Standards
Inspectorate, Leicestershire police, the National Crime Agency Leicestershire
City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions...
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