The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 11th December 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to publish a progress report on the implementation of recommendations from the Brook House Inquiry report, published on 19 September.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con, Home Office): The Government is carefully considering the findings of the Brook House Inquiry in its detailed report, including the recommendations in relation to the management of the immigration detention estate and the welfare of detained individuals.
There are currently no plans to publish a progress report.
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to revise and re-issue guidance on adults at risk in immigration detention, which was last published in May 2021, as set out in section 59 of the Immigration Act 2016.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom: As set out by Lord Murray during the passage of the Illegal Migration Bill through parliament, the Home Office will be updating the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention policy to work with provisions in the Illegal Migration Act. In accordance with section 59 of the Immigration Act 2016, amendments to the statutory guidance will be laid before parliament by statutory instrument in due course.
A separate, broader review of the Adults at Risk policy is also currently being undertaken and includes reviewing Rule 34 and Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001.
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to publish a response to the UN Evaluation of the Refugee and Migrant Advice Service’s Alternative to Detention Pilot, published on 23 August.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The published Home Office response to the evaluation of the Refugee and Migrant Advice Service pilot is included within the evaluation report at Appendix C.
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government how many general practitioners are stationed on site at MDP Wethersfield; and how regularly is this service accessible for migrants being housed at MDP Wethersfield.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The site has on-site primary healthcare delivered throughout the day by a local healthcare provider during normal working hours Monday to Friday. The medical centre is open for 12 hours on arrival days.
This is run by healthcare professionals, a doctor, nurse practitioners, and health care assistants, who offer systematic heath assessments and are able to prescribe medication.
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government how many age assessments by border staff were overturned after a full Merton assessment conducted by local authority social workers over the last two years.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom: We are unable to provide the information requested as this is on live operational data and is subject to change. Published statistics on age disputes can be found at: Asylum and resettlement datasets – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).
The Church of England in Parliament 
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