Written question asked by Lord Howard of Lympne (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal entrants to the United Kingdom were apprehended at the Eurotunnel terminal at Cheriton (a) in March, (b) in April and (c) since 1st January. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 30 April 2001).

Answer: Mr. Howard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal entrants to the United Kingdom were apprehended at the Eurotunnel terminal at Cheriton (a) in March, (b) in April and (c) since 1 January. [159681] Mrs. Roche: [holding answer 30 April 2001]: In March this year 528 stowaways were apprehended at Cheriton, having gained unauthorised access to the Eurotunnel terminal at Coquelles and then boarding the company's freight shuttles. Up to midnight on 25 April, 508 stowaways were apprehended. From 1 January to midnight on 25 April, the figure is 1,703. Eurotunnel, who are responsible for security of the terminal and the trains at Coquelles have commenced construction of an inner cordon of fencing around the platform and allocation areas where lorries wait to board the shuttles. This is scheduled to be completed by 31 May, however, the Immigration Service have asked for this to be accelerated.

Secondary information