Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-Channel Migrant Trafficking

Monday 28 September 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government arrested 179 individuals, resulting in 24 convictions for people smuggling this year.
  • There were 296 disruptions of organised criminal gangs involved in immigration crime, with 124 related to people smuggling.
  • Home Office agrees that safe legal routes are necessary to prevent migrants from falling into criminal hands.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Migrants & Borders
Context

Sergeant Matt Ratana was murdered on Friday, prompting condolences from the House.

Question

I associate myself with the condolences expressed in relation to Sergeant Matt Ratana's death. All children, women and men who seek to cross the channel are victims of criminal activity. Can my right hon. Friend tell us how many perpetrators have been arrested and sentenced for these crimes? Also, what discussions has she had with German counterparts about preventing the provision of outboard motors and inflatable dinghies used in crossings?

Answer from Priti Patel

The UK Government has arrested 179 individuals, resulting in 24 convictions for people smuggling this year. There are also 296 disruptions of organised criminal gangs involved in immigration crime, with 124 related to people smuggling. Discussions about preventing the provision of boats and equipment used in illegal crossings have been held not just with Germany but also France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on discussions with German counterparts regarding supply chain issues for outboard motors and inflatable dinghies.

How: Discussions Are Taking Place

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

Sergeant Matt Ratana was murdered on Friday, prompting condolences from the House.

Question

I associate myself with the condolences expressed in relation to Sergeant Matt Ratana's death. The Home Affairs Committee found that a policy focusing exclusively on closing borders will drive migrants to take more dangerous routes and push them into the hands of criminal groups. Does the Secretary of State still agree with this statement, and does she recognize that safe legal routes must be part of the solution?

Answer from Priti Patel

The Home Office agrees that safe legal routes are necessary. We are currently looking at and working on establishing these routes to ensure individuals do not fall into the hands of criminal groups.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on what actions have been taken or timelines for implementation of safe legal routes.

How: Working On It

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Joanna Cherry SNP
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

Sergeant Matt Ratana was murdered on Friday, prompting condolences from the House.

Question

I extend the condolences of the Scottish National party to Sergeant Matt Ratana's family and colleagues. On 4 November last year, the Home Affairs Select Committee found that a policy focusing exclusively on closing borders will drive migrants into criminal hands. Does she agree with this statement and recognize that safe legal routes must be part of the solution?

Answer from Priti Patel

I fundamentally agree that we need safe legal routes. The Home Office is currently looking at establishing these routes but also stresses the importance of going after criminals involved in illegal migration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on what actions have been taken or timelines for implementation of safe legal routes.

How: Working On It

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email