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Baroness (Angela) Smith of Basildon, Shadow Leader of the Lords

Response to PMs statement on Paris & the G20, 17th November 2015
I am grateful to the Noble Lady for repeating the PMs Statement. I am sure other Noble
Lords shared similar emotions to mine as we watched the horror of the attacks in Paris
unfold on Friday evening. Such deliberate, calculated evil is almost impossible to
comprehend, especially in such a beautiful city where so many of us will remember good
times.
I totally endorse comments made already about our thoughts and prayers being with those
who were murdered and maimed, their friends and families and also to the citizens of
Paris and the whole of France whose lives and whose confidence have changed dramatically
as a result of what happened.
My Lords, there can never be any justification for such acts of terror. So we share their hurt,
their anger and their resolve. And we share the determination to protect our citizens, and
those of other countries, from such attacks. Such violent attacks are totally indiscriminate
those of all faiths and none can be killed, maimed or lose loved ones. And those of all faiths
and none have come together to universally condemn those responsible, without
reservation.
And I reiterate and reinforce the commitments made by my colleagues in the other place
that this is an issue above and beyond any party politics. A governments first duty is to the
safety, security and wellbeing of its citizens. We will work with the Government to fulfil that
duty.
The Prime Minister outlined the action that has already been taken with our international
allies to tackle those who create death, mayhem and fear. And I welcome that he
acknowledged and said that he understands the concerns raised by the Foreign Affairs
Select Committee and others about the way forward and how and whether further military
action such as air strikes in Syria should be part of that response. We welcome his
commitment to respond personally.
The Noble Lady I know understands the huge human cost of the conflict in Syria and the
necessity for a full, strategic plan to seek a politically sustainable resolution that will bring
peace and also longer term strategic plan to seek to deal with the aftermath. The
thousands have fled their homes include so many of those who will be needed to build the
peace.
The PMs comments at the G20 yesterday when he said: I think people want to know that
there is a whole plan for the future of Syria and for the future of the region, were widely
welcomed. To be successful any plan will need national and international support.
Can I raise some specific questions about security here at home:-

We welcome the additional support and money being made available for security and
intelligence. We welcome the announcement for greater resources for tackling cyber-crime
and terrorism. But when asked in the other place about the role of community and frontline policing, given the cuts that have been made and are being planned to the eyes and
ears on the ground, the Prime Minister didnt respond.
Now there are many in Your Lordships House who can provide real examples of how
community policing is essential and successful in tackling crime and terrorism. On 28th
October I asked the Noble Lord Bates about this very issue. My question then was prompted
by those in the most senior roles of Counter Terrorism in the UK being very clear that
community police through the normal course of their work, pick up intelligence and
information that is essential to both fighting serious crime and identifying terrorism threats.
Of the proposed further cuts in policing, Sir Bernard Hogan Howe, said: I genuinely worry
about the safety of London. I understand that the Noble Lady is unlikely to answer a
question that the PM failed to. But can she assure Your Lordships House that she
recognises the seriousness of this issue, and will she commit to raise it directly with the
PM, and report back?
My Lords, those seeking to leave and enter this country, including British citizens, will face
an increased level of checks and security at borders. Its right that both visitors and refugees
fleeing the brutality of ISIL and chaos in the region to be subject to such security. But she
will also know of the reductions made in Border security staff at ports and airports. What
plans are there to ensure that the staffing levels will be appropriate to deal with the
increased level of security that is required?
In recent years, the Government has introduced a number of new measures designed to
tackle serious crime and terrorism. One referred to in the statement is about closing down
any educational institutions teaching intolerance. Is this commitment and others to be met
from existing resources or will new resources be made available? And to what extent is
the Treasury involved in such decisions on new powers?
Lastly, the PM said in his responses that all members of the Privy Council can receive
security briefings on these issues. She may be aware that I have previously requested such
briefings when speaking for the Opposition on security and counter terrorism but I
wasnt successful in receiving them. The Opposition has welcomed the briefings to date
and can she confirm the PMs commitment?
Finally, I welcome the understandably brief comments at the end of the statement on the
other issues that were raised at the G20. Specifically on global warming, we welcome that
the USA and China will join the Paris talks and we look forward to hearing further after the
conference. But also, she referred to the UK taking the lead on action to tackle corruption
in a number of different areas. This is essential. I appreciate not time to cover the whole
range of issues this raises today but can she provide further information on the areas and
the success of any measures? If shes unable to respond in full today perhaps she would
write with more details.
ENDS