Written question asked by Lord Judd (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 January 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 January 2017 on behalf of the Home Office.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking, in the context of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, to ensure that the rights and interest of the child are paramount, especially when the immigration status of their parents is uncertain or precarious.

Answer: Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 ensures that the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is taken into account in carrying out immigration, asylum and nationality functions. This reflects the UK’s support for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 3 of which requires the best interests of the child to be a primary consideration in actions that concern them. The Home Office underpins the primary legislation with provisions in the Immigration Rules and with policy and guidance for specific immigration functions affecting children.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL4567
Session: 2016-17
Subjects: Children Migrants Parents UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk