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Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 8 May 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 May 2019. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 May 2019 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration Controls: France

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in cooperation with the government of France, they will seek to widen the terms of reference of the Joint Coordination and Information Centre from exclusive concern with national security and criminality to include the well-being of displaced people sleeping in northern France and the restriction of violent and brutal police behaviour.

Answer

The opening of the Joint Centre for Information and Coordination (CCIC) forms part of the commitments of the Sandhurst Treaty, signed by the Prime Minister and President Macron in January 2018. The Sandhurst Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the UK and France which reinforces the commitment of both sides to work together on border security issues.

Under the CCIC, Border Force work closely alongside Police Aux Frontieres in a 24/7 operation to:

  • Assist with preventing illegal attempts to cross the shared border
  • Facilitate the circulation of information between UK and French agencies to combat cross-border criminality
  • Work on the prevention of threats to public order on cross-border infrastructure
  • Provide analysis of cross-channel traffic flows

The CCIC also helps with the identification, prosecution and dismantling of criminal gangs involved in people smuggling and wider cross border crime.

There are currently no plans to widen the remit and responsibilities of the CCIC, however its performance and remit are regularly reviewed.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15590
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Immigration controls Undocumented migrants France Police
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk