Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Small Boat Crossings

Monday 5 September 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has legislated through the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 to introduce long-term solutions for reducing small boat crossings into the UK.
  • The Home Secretary stated that the UK has reviewed the Australian model, including pushbacks at sea, surveillance tactics, and other deterrents.
  • The Home Secretary offered to attend a Committee meeting to discuss collaborative efforts with France, including reforming the asylum system and providing UK asylum assessment facilities within France.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP questioned the government's approach to reducing illegal channel crossings, citing concerns about legal entry into the UK and tough criminal sentences.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of people crossing the English channel in small boats?

Answer from Priti Patel

Our new laws, brought in through the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, mean that we have legislated to introduce long-term solutions and to address legal entry into the UK. This includes tackling the number of people coming over in small boats and introducing tougher criminal sentences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps being taken but no concrete measures or timelines provided

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Q2 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP thanked the Home Secretary for her management of the Department and inquired about the application of international maritime law and surveillance to reduce channel crossings.

Question

If we do all those things, I have no doubt that pushback will work with Belgium and France too. If we learn from the necessary increase in surveillance, control and command by both the Australians and Frontex, if we apply international maritime law, how effective would pushbacks be?

Answer from Priti Patel

Despite the chuntering from the Opposition Benches, my right hon. Friend speaks a lot of common sense on these issues. This is important because when it comes to tackling channel crossings, we have specifically reviewed the whole Australian model, including pushbacks at sea, surveillance tactics and other measures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledges review of Australian model but does not specify effectiveness or concrete plans for implementing international maritime law and increased surveillance

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Q3 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP asked the Home Secretary to attend a Committee hearing in September to discuss her time at the Home Office. She recommended piloting UK asylum assessment facilities within France.

Question

I agree with the Home Secretary that it takes multiple ways of looking at the problem of channel crossings. One of our key recommendations was to pilot providing UK asylum assessment facilities within France, enabling the juxtaposed consideration of claims in the same way we already have juxtaposed immigration and passport controls in Dover and Calais.

Answer from Priti Patel

I would be very happy to attend the right hon. Lady's Committee on 21 September. This is all about collaboration and working with our French counterparts, including reform of the asylum system, deterrents and criminal sanctions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledges willingness to attend but does not provide specific solution for reducing illegal channel crossings

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Q4 Stuart McDonald SNP
Asylum & Refugees Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP advocated for safe legal routes and close co-operation with France to address illegal channel crossings. He inquired about the importance of working with President Macron.

Question

Instead of the cruel and utterly failed Rwanda policy, or resurrecting impossible and dangerous pushbacks, we need safe legal routes, investment, asylum and modern slavery processing, and close co-operation with our French allies. Will she join me in stating clearly that President Macron is very much a friend rather than a foe?

Answer from Priti Patel

With all respect to the hon. Gentleman, we clearly have a different stance on policies and tactics. We worked closely with my counterparts in the French Government for three years and I restate for the record that they are our friends. It is important to work unitedly with international colleagues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledges friendship but does not address need for safe legal routes or investment

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