Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 October 2002. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 October 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many clandestine immigrants have entered the UK via Portsmouth ferry port in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many clandestine immigrants have entered the UK via Portsmouth ferry port in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [75450] Beverley Hughes: The nature of clandestine entry is such that it is not possible to state how many people have entered the UK clandestinely via Portsmouth in the last five years. However, the department is able to state how many clandestines have actually been detected by UKIS at the port of Portsmouth. There has been a decreasing number of clandestines detected over a five year period: 1998-239 detected 1999-181 2000-102 2001-91 2002-28 (in the first six months of the year) The decrease is attributed to current initiatives, which include close working relationships with carriers which has resulted in an increased detection of clandestines in the French ports prior to travel.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 75450; 391 c332-3W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Immigration controls Undocumented migrants Ports Refugees Portsmouth Channel crossing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk