Written question asked by Damian Green (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 July 2008. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

UK Border Agency: Patrol Craft

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many operational hours were undertaken by boats and other marine craft operated by (a) the UK Border Agency and (b) other agencies engaged in border patrol in each year since 1997.

Answer: From April 2008, the UK Border Agency took on responsibility for vessels which had previously been operated by HM Revenue and Customs and were formerly the responsibility of HM Customs and Excise.UKBA estimate that from 2001 to 2008 these vessels undertook a total of 21,900 operational hours per year.Due to fluctuations in the number of vessels in operation, and operating patterns, we do not have a record of operational hours undertaken before this date.

Secondary information