Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-Channel Illegal Migration

Monday 28 September 2020 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to ending illegal crossings facilitated by criminals.
  • Legislative options are being considered to update immigration and asylum law.
  • Work is ongoing with European partners for the return of illegal migrants.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Brereton Con
Migrants & Borders
Context

Concerns about migrants crossing illegally, posing safety risks and straining resources.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to stop migrants crossing the English Channel illegally. I am concerned about the number of people crossing the channel illegally, which poses significant safety risks and strains our resources.

Answer from Chris Philp

The Government are committed to ending completely these dangerous crossings facilitated by ruthless criminals. Our clandestine channel threat commander is working closely with French authorities to stop embarkations in the first place, and we are also working tirelessly to return people who have made this journey.

Answered
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Q2 Henry Smith Con
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

Legal system challenges in handling immigration and asylum cases, leading to repeated vexatious legal claims.

Question

Can he say when legislation will be brought forward to update immigration and asylum law, including provisions to stop illegal entrants from applying to stay? The current legal system is not fit for purpose regarding asylum and immigration enforcement matters due to repeatedly vexatious legal claims at the last minute.

Answer from Chris Philp

We are working on legislative options in relation to my hon. Friend's suggestions, and everything is currently being considered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or bill details were not provided.

How: Legislation Under Consideration

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Q3 Shaun Bailey
Immigration Brexit
Context

Representations to European partners for cooperation in enforcing obligations and returning illegal migrants.

Question

What representations is my hon. Friend making to our European partners regarding the return of illegal migrants and following through with obligations? My constituents are angry about images of people arriving illegally, often due to lack of compliance by European partners who have obligations under Dublin regulations.

Answer from Chris Philp

We are working with other European countries for returns and tabled a draft readmissions agreement. Once the transition period ends, efforts to return illegal migrants will be intensified.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific representations made or current status were not detailed.

How: Working On Agreements

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Q4 Mark Eastwood
Asylum & Refugees Migrants & Borders Justice & Courts
Context

Pursuit of justice against criminals enabling illegal crossings while upholding obligations to genuine asylum seekers.

Question

Does the Minister agree that, while we must uphold our obligations to genuine asylum seekers, there can be no justifiable reason for migrants crossing when France is a safe option? We must bring criminals facilitating these dangerous journeys to justice.

Answer from Chris Philp

My hon. Friend's statement aligns with our goals; we are pursuing 24 criminal facilitators this year, protecting genuine asylum seekers under resettlement schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to specific actions against criminals was provided.

How: Criminal Prosecution Ongoing

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Q5 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Migrants & Borders
Context

Need to make the channel-crossing route untenable for people smugglers.

Question

What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that the illegal crossing route becomes entirely untenable and illustrates loud and clear to organised crime gangs that Britain's border is closed? People smugglers are promoting this dangerous route, putting lives at risk.

Answer from Chris Philp

Our objective is to make this route completely unviable; we are working with French authorities and looking into tactics for preventing crossings and returning individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timelines provided.

How: Route Unviability Plans

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Q6 Jack Brereton Con
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Public concern over illegal crossings from the English Channel into Stoke-on-Trent.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that asylum should be claimed in the first safe country, such as France, and that we should deport those here illegally? People across Stoke-on-Trent are extremely concerned about this issue.

Answer from Chris Philp

My hon. Friend is absolutely right; France is a safe country, people should claim asylum there, and we use legal means to return those who have entered illegally.

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