Written question asked by Lord Condon (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Thursday, 12 November 2009.

Immigration: France

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the role and expectations of the Joint Intelligence Unit formed with the French authorities to counter unauthorised entry from France to the United Kingdom.

Answer: The Joint Intelligence Unit [JIU] is an intelligence-sharing forum incorporating the UK Border Agency, Kent Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Department of Work and Pensions, Police Aux Frontières and L'Office Central pour la Répression de l’Immigration irrégulière et de l'emploi d'Étrangers Sans Titre (the French anti-trafficking unit). Its role is to build intelligence on both sides of the Channel, to target and dismantle organised immigration crime groups. The JIU acts as a conduit for information and intelligence from the constituent investigating authorities and develops intelligence products to drive and support action against organised immigration crime. This will result in a stronger border, increased prosecution of facilitators, and improved co-operation between cross-border agencies.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6158; 714 c219-20WA
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Criminal investigation Cross border cooperation Undocumented migrants Human trafficking France Organised crime
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk