Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Illegal Migrant Crossings in the Channel

Thursday 28 April 2022 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Loder inquired about discussions the Archbishop of Canterbury had with French counterparts regarding illegal migrant crossings in the Channel.
  • Chris Loder asked for the advice the Archbishop of Canterbury offers to prevent such situations, highlighting the tragic loss of children during crossings.
  • Rachael Maskell acknowledged the Archbishops' outspoken stance on refugees and the role of church leaders in providing a voice of conscience.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Loder
Migrants & Borders Religion & Faith
Context

Discussions on illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel prompted this question. The Church Commissioners are involved with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions the Archbishop of Canterbury has had with his French counterparts on illegal migrant crossings in the Channel.

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Church of England is part of the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches and the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe, and works in all those bodies to respond to the challenges of the largest movement of people since the end of the second world war.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific advice on preventing illegal channel crossings was not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Chris Loder
Asylum & Refugees Migrants & Borders Religion & Faith
Context

In Dorset, organizations are caring for 20 orphaned children who lost their parents in illegal and fatal channel crossings. The Church of England bishops have been making coordinated political statements.

Question

Now that the Church of England bishops are making co-ordinated political statements, can my hon. Friend tell me what advice the Archbishop of Canterbury is offering to prevent such situations from happening in the first place so that no more children are orphaned during illegal channel crossings?

Answer from Andrew Selous

Let me first thank all those in Dorset who are caring for the children who lost their parents while they were being trafficked across the English channel. Our hearts go out to them, and we must do everything possible to prevent further such fatalities. I can tell my hon. Friend that the bishops in the House of Lords have called for more safe routes for allowing asylum seekers to apply at UK embassies, and for better co-operation with the French on the processing of applications across the channel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific advice from the Archbishop was not provided; general statements about safe routes and cooperation were made instead

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Asylum & Refugees Religion & Faith
Context

The Archbishops of both Canterbury and York have been outspoken about the plight of refugees. This question addresses their role in providing checks, balances, advocacy, and accountability.

Question

The Archbishops of both Canterbury and York have, rightly, been outspoken about the plight of refugees. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that church leaders have an important role to play in contributing a prophetic voice, a voice of conscience, as part of the process of providing the nation with checks and balances, advocacy and accountability, in respect of refugees and other vulnerable groups?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Archbishop of Canterbury published what I thought was a very balanced article about these issues in The Daily Telegraph yesterday. The hon. Lady has made a valid point: while the Church will cause discomfort to all Governments and, if I remember rightly, did so to her party just before the last general election, I would far rather live in a country where that is the case than in Russia, where the Church is unstintingly supporting an illegal and barbaric invasion.

Not addressed: The specific question about church leaders' role was not directly addressed; instead, the answerer discussed the Archbishop's article and compared it to situations in Russia

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Ukraine Religion & Faith
Context

Community groups and churches are organizing vigils, prayer meetings, donations of supplies, and financial aid in Epping Forest to support the people of Ukraine.

Question

I was recently humbled to be able to attend a vigil for peace organised by the Penrith and Eden Refugee Network and local churches. Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking churches, faith groups and community groups in my constituency and across the country for all that they are doing to support the people of Ukraine and refugees through prayer groups, vigils, and donations of supplies and financial aid?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I thank my hon. Friend for raising an important point. The Church is partnering the Government in hosting many of the Ukrainian refugees for whom his constituents are quite properly caring.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific recognition and thanks to community groups were not provided; instead, general acknowledgment of church support was given

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email