Written question asked by Humfrey Malins (Conservative) on Monday, 11 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 March 2002. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Thursday, 14 March 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact on the freight industry of the actions of people attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the freight industry of the actions of people attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally; and if he will make a statement. [43033] Mr. Jamieson: The Government recognise that the current disruption to channel tunnel rail freight services caused by would-be illegal immigrants attempting to board these trains on the continent is causing severe hardship to many businesses in this country which depend on these services. We are pressing the French Government at the highest levels to ensure that sufficient police resources are applied to address the problem so that normal freight services can resume as soon as possible. There is no evidence to date that the actions of people attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally have had any significant impact on UK road freight operations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 43033; 381 c1202W;381 c1204W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Channel tunnel High Speed 1 line Undocumented migrants Freight Railways Security
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk