Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum Seekers: Channel Crossings

Thursday 18 November 2021 · 4 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alan Brown questioned the Home Secretary about discussions on intercepting small boats and returning asylum seekers to France under the Nationality and Borders Bill.
  • Martyn Day inquired about the UK Government's commitment to international rules-based systems in light of apparent flouting of international conventions like SOLAS and UNCLOS.
  • Bill Cash asked if it would be practical or possible for international law to condone illegal immigration, to which the Attorney General agreed that international rules and conventions bind state parties.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

Discussions on intercepting small boats and returning asylum seekers to France under the Nationality and Borders Bill.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with the Home Secretary on the proposals in the Nationality and Borders Bill regarding intercepting small boats and returning asylum seekers to France?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The traffickers organising these dangerous crossings are putting lives at risk, and it is vital that we do everything we can to protect them and prevent them from operating from France. We must break the business model of criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with Home Secretary about proposals were not detailed

How: Putting Lives At Risk, Breaking Business Model

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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

UK's supposed commitment to an international rules-based system conflicts with the Home Office's action in the channel.

Question

There is a duty on ships to rescue persons who are in danger at sea under international conventions such as SOLAS and UNCLOS. Given the UK Government's commitment to an international rules-based system, how does she square that with clearly flouting those rules?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The Home Office is taking lawful action in the channel to disrupt the traffickers' life-threatening and criminal business model, and that really should not be in question. This Government are taking urgent and necessary measures to fix our broken asylum system, stop people traffickers, and deter illegal entry.

Not addressed: Clarification on how actions align with international law was not provided

How: Lawful Action, Urgent And Necessary Measures

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Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Proposals are deemed immoral, dangerous, illegal under international law.

Question

The Home Office proposals are immoral, dangerous and illegal as they break international law. Why will the Attorney General not step up to advise against breaking international law?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The UK prides itself on its leadership within the international system and it discharges its international obligations in good faith. We have a proud history of providing protection to those who need it, and our asylum system is broken which we aim to fix.

Not addressed: Direct advice against breaking international law was not provided

How: Leadership Within The International System, Discharging Obligations In Good Faith

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Q4 Bill Cash Con
Immigration
Context

Practicality and legality of international law condoning illegal immigration.

Question

Does the Attorney General agree that it would not be practical or possible in law for international law to condone illegal immigration?

Answer from Suella Braverman

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There are international rules and conventions which bind state parties, we honour those duties and take them very seriously. We also have a domestic regime of immigration and asylum which we can modify now that we left the European Union.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement was not confirmed in full detail

How: Honoured Duties, Domestic Regime

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