Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Small Boat Crossings: Prosecution Rates

Thursday 7 December 2023 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The number of small boat crossings is down by a third this year.
  • The Government reports an increase in the number of prosecutions since the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was introduced.
  • The Government declines to confirm whether advice was sought or given by the Attorney General regarding the bill.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
Migrants & Borders Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The number of small boat crossings has decreased by a third this year. The Attorney General and the Minister visited Western Jet Foil and the joint control room in Dover to discuss the Illegal Migration Act 2023.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase prosecution rates for small boat gangs and other people traffickers?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The number of small boat crossings is down by a third this year, and we are seeing an increase in the number of prosecutions since the introduction of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps taken to increase prosecution rates specifically for small boat gangs were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
Migrants & Borders Justice & Courts
Context

Yesterday, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill was laid before the House. It would disapply the Human Rights Act 1998 for those seeking sanctuary.

Question

Can he confirm that advice given by the Attorney General regarding the bill is in conformity with international law? How does it impact small boat crossings and prosecutions?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I cannot confirm or deny whether advice was even sought, let alone given, let alone its content. The Government Members are determined to stop small boat crossings with their Nationality and Borders Act which prosecutes people traffickers.

Not addressed: Specific confirmation of the Attorney General's advice and impact on small boat crossings and prosecutions

How: Changing Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email