Written questions by Davis.

If she will publish (a) documents and (b) minutes created following the meeting of the then-Minister of State and Cheshire Police on 12 December 2024.

The then Minister for Policing, Crime and fire met senior representatives of Cheshire Constabulary on 12 December 2024. The meeting covered the funding for Operation Hummingbird provided through the Police Special Grant, charging for special police services and foreign national offenders.It is not customary to publish briefing papers prepared for, or notes of, Ministerial meetings, nor any follow up correspondence.

If she will publish any documents that were created for the then-Minister of State in preparation for her meeting with senior members of Cheshire police on 12 December 2024.

The then Minister for Policing, Crime and fire met senior representatives of Cheshire Constabulary on 12 December 2024. The meeting covered the funding for Operation Hummingbird provided through the Police Special Grant, charging for special police services and foreign national offenders.It is not customary to publish briefing papers prepared for, or notes of, Ministerial meetings, nor any follow up correspondence.

What the (a) nature and (b) purpose was of the meeting attended by the then-Minister of State on 12 December 2024 with senior members of Cheshire police.

The then Minister for Policing, Crime and fire met senior representatives of Cheshire Constabulary on 12 December 2024. The meeting covered the funding for Operation Hummingbird provided through the Police Special Grant, charging for special police services and foreign national offenders.It is not customary to publish briefing papers prepared for, or notes of, Ministerial meetings, nor any follow up correspondence.

Whether any subsequent meetings took place between Ministers in her Department and Cheshire Police after 12 December 2024.

The then Minister for Policing, Crime and fire met senior representatives of Cheshire Constabulary on 12 December 2024. The meeting covered the funding for Operation Hummingbird provided through the Police Special Grant, charging for special police services and foreign national offenders.It is not customary to publish briefing papers prepared for, or notes of, Ministerial meetings, nor any follow up correspondence.

If she will publish correspondence exchanged by her Department with Cheshire Police following their meeting with the then-Minister of State on 12 December 2024.

The then Minister for Policing, Crime and fire met senior representatives of Cheshire Constabulary on 12 December 2024. The meeting covered the funding for Operation Hummingbird provided through the Police Special Grant, charging for special police services and foreign national offenders.It is not customary to publish briefing papers prepared for, or notes of, Ministerial meetings, nor any follow up correspondence.

What discussions her Department had with US counterparts on extraditing Omar al Bayoumi in 2001.

The attacks on 9/11 were an appalling assault on freedom. The courage displayed by the American people in the aftermath and in the years since is extraordinary and our thoughts remain with the victims and survivors, as well as all who loved them.It would be inappropriate to comment on an individual case. It is also long standing government policy, followed by successive governments, to neither confirm nor deny any extradition request in these circumstances.

Which of her Department's officials informed the Metropolitan Police that the US would not be extraditing Omar al-Bayoumi in 2001.

The attacks on 9/11 were an appalling assault on freedom. The courage displayed by the American people in the aftermath and in the years since is extraordinary and our thoughts remain with the victims and survivors, as well as all who loved them.It would be inappropriate to comment on an individual case. It is also long standing government policy, followed by successive governments, to neither confirm nor deny any extradition request in these circumstances.

What information her Department holds on the work of the Metropolitan Police in September 2001 on the possible extradition of Omar al Bayoumi.

The attacks on 9/11 were an appalling assault on freedom. The courage displayed by the American people in the aftermath and in the years since is extraordinary and our thoughts remain with the victims and survivors, as well as all who loved them.It would be inappropriate to comment on an individual case. It is also long standing government policy, followed by successive governments, to neither confirm nor deny any extradition request in these circumstances.

Which of her Department's officials informed US authorities that they would not observe the interrogation of Omar al Bayoumi in 2001.

It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments not to comment routinely either on individual cases or intelligence and security matters.These questions relate to ongoing civil legal proceedings in the United States; this imposes legal and procedural limits on the information that can be disclosed at this stage. The Government is therefore unable to comment further while litigation remains active.

What contact her department had with counterparts in the US on the release and ongoing surveillance of Omar al Bayoumi in 2001 and 2002.

It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments not to comment routinely either on individual cases or intelligence and security matters.These questions relate to ongoing civil legal proceedings in the United States; this imposes legal and procedural limits on the information that can be disclosed at this stage. The Government is therefore unable to comment further while litigation remains active.

Whether her Department has set a threshold for an acceptable proportion of misidentifications arising from police use of live facial recognition.

The Home Office has not assessed the potential merits of a specific compensation scheme for people wrongly identified by live facial recognition used by police.The Home Office has not set a threshold for an acceptable proportion of misidentifications arising from police use of live facial recognition. However, police use of live facial recognition is subject to safeguards that are designed to minimise the risk of misidentifications. These are set out in the Authorised Professional Practice guidance by the College of Policing found here: Live facial recognition | College of Policing]. They must also comply with data protection, equality, and human rights laws and are subject to the Information Commissioner’s and Equality and Human Rights Commission’s oversight.Following a possible live facial recognition alert, it is always a police officer on the ground who will decide what action, if any, to take. Facial recognition technology is not automated decision making – police officers and trained operators will always make the decisions about whether and how to use any suggested matches.In November we launched a 10 public consultation, ending on 12 February to help shape a new framework on biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies. We want to hear views on when and how the technologies should be used, and what safeguards and oversight are needed. We are aware there have been concerns with the existing laws governing the use of facial recognition, and the consultation has been designed to explore these concerns by asking questions on additional safeguards around transparency, oversight and proportionality

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of compensation schemes for people wrongly identified by live facial recognition technology used by the police.

The Home Office has not assessed the potential merits of a specific compensation scheme for people wrongly identified by live facial recognition used by police.The Home Office has not set a threshold for an acceptable proportion of misidentifications arising from police use of live facial recognition. However, police use of live facial recognition is subject to safeguards that are designed to minimise the risk of misidentifications. These are set out in the Authorised Professional Practice guidance by the College of Policing found here: Live facial recognition | College of Policing]. They must also comply with data protection, equality, and human rights laws and are subject to the Information Commissioner’s and Equality and Human Rights Commission’s oversight.Following a possible live facial recognition alert, it is always a police officer on the ground who will decide what action, if any, to take. Facial recognition technology is not automated decision making – police officers and trained operators will always make the decisions about whether and how to use any suggested matches.In November we launched a 10 public consultation, ending on 12 February to help shape a new framework on biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies. We want to hear views on when and how the technologies should be used, and what safeguards and oversight are needed. We are aware there have been concerns with the existing laws governing the use of facial recognition, and the consultation has been designed to explore these concerns by asking questions on additional safeguards around transparency, oversight and proportionality

By how much they plan to reduce their Department's budget to help fund the digital ID scheme.

Delivery of the National Digital ID scheme is currently being led by the Cabinet Office, with input from Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Home Office and other government departments.The Cabinet Office, in collaboration with the Home Office and other government departments, is currently in the process of working through the policy and design decisions that will underpin the Digital ID. Whilst this activity is underway, it is not currently possible to finalise cost estimations and the impact these will have on the Home Office’s budget.The Cabinet Office will launch a public consultation and has already started engaging key groups. The eventual total cost will also depend on the outcomes of this exercise.

What guidance her Department provides to police forces on their deployment of live facial recognition cameras.

Guidance on watchlists is provided by the College of Policing in the form of an Authorised Professional Practice. This sets out the categories of people who may be included on a watchlist, which depends on the nature of the deployment. Watchlists must be tailored to a specific policing objective and reviewed before each deployment to ensure they meet the legal tests of necessity and proportionality.Watchlists may include individuals wanted by the police or the courts, suspects, missing or vulnerable people, or those posing a risk of harm to themselves or others. In some cases, this may include vulnerable individuals such as missing children.Although there is a legal framework in place, it is complicated, inflexible and difficult for the public and police to understand. That is why we have launched a consultation to support the development of a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies.

What guidance her Department provides to police forces on including children in live facial recognition camera watchlists.

Guidance on watchlists is provided by the College of Policing in the form of an Authorised Professional Practice. This sets out the categories of people who may be included on a watchlist, which depends on the nature of the deployment. Watchlists must be tailored to a specific policing objective and reviewed before each deployment to ensure they meet the legal tests of necessity and proportionality.Watchlists may include individuals wanted by the police or the courts, suspects, missing or vulnerable people, or those posing a risk of harm to themselves or others. In some cases, this may include vulnerable individuals such as missing children.Although there is a legal framework in place, it is complicated, inflexible and difficult for the public and police to understand. That is why we have launched a consultation to support the development of a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies.

If her Department will withdraw outstanding Technical Capability Notices relating to encryption.

For reasons of national security, it has been a long-standing position that the Government does not confirm or deny Technical Capability Notices under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

How many technical capability notices issued under s.253 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 have been complied with in each year.

For reasons of national security, it has been a long-standing position that the Government does not confirm or deny compliance of operators given a notice under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. We also do not publish the number of technical capability notices issued or release identities of those subject to a technical capability notice. To do so may identify operational capabilities or harm the commercial interests of companies.

How many technical capability notices her Department has issued under s.253 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 in each year, not including the notice rejected by Apple.

For reasons of national security, it has been a long-standing position that the Government does not confirm or deny compliance of operators given a notice under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. We also do not publish the number of technical capability notices issued or release identities of those subject to a technical capability notice. To do so may identify operational capabilities or harm the commercial interests of companies.

How many people who are not wanted for arrest have been placed on police facial recognition watchlists.

Watchlists for live facial recognition deployments are compiled by the police and are specific to the operational requirements of each deploymentThe College of Policing have published national guidance which sets out the categories of people that can be included on watchlists. They include people who are wanted either by the police or by the courts, missing persons, vulnerable people and people who could be a danger to themselves or others.In each case there must be appropriate justification and authorisation, always passing the tests of necessity, proportionality and use for a policing purpose.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of police forces using facial recognition technology to identify individuals not sought in connection to ongoing criminal investigations.

Watchlists for live facial recognition deployments are compiled by the police and are specific to the operational requirements of each deploymentThe College of Policing have published national guidance which sets out the categories of people that can be included on watchlists. They include people who are wanted either by the police or by the courts, missing persons, vulnerable people and people who could be a danger to themselves or others.In each case there must be appropriate justification and authorisation, always passing the tests of necessity, proportionality and use for a policing purpose.