Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 June 2007. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 July 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Illegal Immigrants: Malta

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial assistance has been given to Malta for tackling illegal African immigrants coming to that country.

Answer: The UK supports Maltese efforts to tackle illegal immigration both bilaterally and through the EU. Last year we sent a Chief Immigration Officer to Malta to assist a Frontex co-ordinated operation with nationality and identity interviewing techniques and a senior official to give advice on returning failed asylum seekers. Also in 2006 a Maltese official was seconded to Border and Immigration Agency for a week to learn about our detention centres. EU funding has recently been obtained for joint returns work with Malta, and the European Commission is currently considering a joint proposal from the UK, Italy and Malta for funding to establish a centre for migration intelligence analysts on Lampedusa and Malta. Malta also receives funding through EU financial instruments such as the European Refugee Fund.

Secondary information