Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Illegal Migration: Co-operation with France

Monday 26 February 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Joint working with French partners has led to a 46% decrease in small boat crossings last year.
  • The Minister visited France nine days ago where a boat was seized during the visit.
  • The Government have closed 50 hotels for accommodating illegal migrants, beating their target for January end.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Migrants & Borders Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the progress made in tackling illegal migration through joint efforts with French authorities.

Question

What recent progress has been made with French counterparts on tackling illegal migration?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

Joint working with our French partners is crucial to stopping the boats. Thanks in no small part to that joint working, small boat crossings were down by 46% last year.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP inquires about lessons learned from a recent visit to France by the Minister and suggests that more cooperation is needed.

Question

Were there any lessons to be learned from the French authorities about more co-operation that can go on to stop the boats even further?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

My hon. Friend is right: I was in France nine days ago. Even while I was there, a boat was seized, but he is right to say that more needs to be done. Personnel, equipment and technology are key to breaking the business model of the criminal gangs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the need for more cooperation but does not specify concrete steps or measures beyond general statements about personnel, equipment, and technology.

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Immigration Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the number of illegal migrants accommodated in hotels at public expense and wants to compare this with the number of homeless or rough-sleeping UK nationals.

Question

Will the Minister update the House on the number of illegal migrants who have crossed the channel and are currently being accommodated in hotels at the expense of the public purse? How does that compare with the number of UK nationals who are currently homeless or sleeping rough?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I can confirm that the Government have beaten our target of closing 50 hotels by the end of January, which I am sure the hon. Gentleman will want to welcome.

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific numbers and comparisons regarding illegal migrants and homelessness, but the answer only mentions a goal achievement without providing requested statistics or comparisons.

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