Written question asked by Geraldine Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what immigration service operations had been carried out regarding cockle picking in (a) Morecambe Bay and (b) elsewhere prior to the operation on Pilling Sands on 19th June 2003. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 27 February 2004).

Answer: Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Immigration Service operations had been carried out regarding cockle picking in (a) Morecambe Bay and (b) elsewhere prior to the operation on Pilling Sands on 19 June 2003. [156857] Beverley Hughes :[holding answer 27 February 2004]: The Immigration Service has assisted the police with various incidents involving cockle pickers prior to 19 June 2003. These include: the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals in Mostyn on 31 October 2002 the arrest of 20 Chinese nationals on the Wirral on 31 October 2002 the apprehension of five Chinese nationals in Bagillt on 13 November 2002.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 156857; 418 c1121W;418 c1137W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Death Arrests Fisheries Enforcement Undocumented migrants Migrants Inshore fishing Police Migrant workers Morecambe Bay Cockles
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk