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Lord West of Spithead
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West of Spithead, Lord (62)
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To ask Her Majesty's Government how many reports they have received of people working illegally on the Parliamentary Estate.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many reports they have received of people working illegally on the Parliamentary Estate.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
17 March 2010
In the last two years the United Kingdom Border Agency has received one report regarding a person working illegally on the Parliamentary Estate. This was received in April 2008.
Subjects
Employment; Undocumented migrants; Parliament
Date
17 March 2010
Reference
2286; 718 c190WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government (a) how many businesses were fined for employing an illegal immigrant in each of the last three years, and (b) how much was each fine.
To ask Her Majesty's Government (a) how many businesses were fined for employing an illegal immigrant in each of the last three years, and (b) how much was each fine.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 March 2010
The accompanying table sets out the number of civil penalties issued and the average and maximum fine (it is not practical to list the amount of each fine because of the numbers involved) imposed by the UK Border Agency for the period 1 March 2008 to 24 February 2010 and the number of fines issued in criminal courts for 2006 to 2008.
These data are derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and liable to change. Employers against whom civil penalties have been issued by the UK Border Agency for the last three months including the amount of civil penalty imposed can be found on the UK Border Agency website at: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/listemployers penalties/
This is updated quarterly.
Data on the number of defendants proceeded against and found guilty in 2007 and 2008, of offences relating to employing a person subject to immigration control, are published by the Home Office in table 3.4 of the Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2008, which is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at: www.home office.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html
Data for 2008 remain provisional and subject to change. Data for 2009 will be published in summer 2010.
Civil penalties Issued for employing illegal worker(1), 1 March 2008-24 February 2010*
"(1) Civil penalties issued under Section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006""(2) Civil penalties can be up to £10,000 per illegal worker""* These figures have been drawn from a UK Border Agency management information system.""Figures provided from this source do not constitute part of National Statistics and should be treated as provisional."
"(2) Civil penalties can be up to £10,000 per illegal worker""* These figures have been drawn from a UK Border Agency management information system.""Figures provided from this source do not constitute part of National Statistics and should be treated as provisional."
"* These figures have been drawn from a UK Border Agency management information system.""Figures provided from this source do not constitute part of National Statistics and should be treated as provisional."
"Figures provided from this source do not constitute part of National Statistics and should be treated as provisional."
Fines issued in criminal courts for employing an Illegal worker(3) by amount of fine(3), 2006-20084(4)**
"(3) Offences under S.8 Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 or S.21 Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006""(4) Data for 2009 will become available once 'Sentencing Statistics 2009' is published in the autumn""(5) The statutory maximum fine for an offender sentenced at the magistrates' court is £5,000. There is no statutory maximum fine for an offender sentenced at the Crown court""**These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems.""Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system""This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the ""principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.""Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"(4) Data for 2009 will become available once 'Sentencing Statistics 2009' is published in the autumn""(5) The statutory maximum fine for an offender sentenced at the magistrates' court is £5,000. There is no statutory maximum fine for an offender sentenced at the Crown court""**These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems.""Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system""This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the ""principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.""Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"(5) The statutory maximum fine for an offender sentenced at the magistrates' court is £5,000. There is no statutory maximum fine for an offender sentenced at the Crown court""**These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems.""Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system""This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the ""principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.""Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"**These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems.""Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system""This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the ""principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.""Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system""This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the ""principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.""Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the ""principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.""Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"Source: Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice""Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
"Ref: SENT(JSAS)055-10 (26/02/2010)"
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Average civil penalty | 9,652 | 10,073 | 9,246 |
| Maximum civil penalty(2) | 95,000 | 165,000 | 61,250 |
| Number of civil penalties issued | 1,168 | 2,271 | 428 |
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| £l -£500 | 3 | 13 | 9 |
| £501-£1000 | 1 | 6 | 12 |
| £1001-£2500 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| £2501-£5000 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Over £5000 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Subjects
Business; Employment; Undocumented migrants; Fines
Date
8 March 2010
Reference
2197; 718 c18-20WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the restraints on unauthorised immigration via the Channel Tunnel.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the restraints on unauthorised immigration via the Channel Tunnel.
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 January 2010
The juxtaposed controls, operated by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in France and Belgium, have been extremely effective in countering illegal entry to the UK through the Channel Tunnel. Staffed on a 24/7 basis and supported by a range of measures, including the deployment of world-leading technology, enhanced intelligence and closer working between all agencies, these controls have created one of the toughest borders in the world.
The Channel Tunnel is used by services from the Eurostar Ports (Brussels, Lille and Paris) and Eurotunnel at Coquelles. From 2007 to 2009, over 5,800 passengers who were inadequately documented or did not meet the UK conditions of entry, were refused entry at the Eurostar ports. During the same period, over 2,200 passengers were refused at Coquelles port.
A total of 396,000 freight vehicles travelled through the Channel Tunnel in 2009. Over the same period, working alongside the French authorities, UKBA staff searching freight vehicles prevented 2,225 individual clandestine attempts to enter the UK illegally, via the Channel Tunnel.
In addition, the number of illegal immigrants detected in Kent has been reduced by over 80 per cent, since 2002.
Subjects
High Speed 1 line; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants
Date
19 January 2010
Reference
1194; 716 c223WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants have been found working for the UK Border Agency in each of the last five years.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants have been found working for the UK Border Agency in each of the last five years.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 December 2009
In 2006, a total of nine contract cleaners, working in the then Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office, were found not to have valid leave to remain in the UK. Following that, the Home Office's procedures for checking its own employees were tightened and the Home Office worked with its contractors to ensure that they fulfilled their responsibilities for pre-employment checking of their employees. Since 2006 we know of only one other case (in 2008) where an employee of a contractor had invalid leave to remain.
Subjects
Employment; Undocumented migrants; UK Border Agency
Date
3 December 2009
Reference
228; 715 c72WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants have been found working for the Home Office in each of the last five years.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants have been found working for the Home Office in each of the last five years.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 December 2009
There have been two occasions within the last five years where compliance checks have found illegal immigrants working for Home Office contractors. In the first case (2007) the individual was removed from the UK; in the second (2009) removal action is currently under consideration.
Subjects
Employment; Undocumented migrants; Home Office
Date
3 December 2009
Reference
229; 715 c72-3WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 December 2009
Since the phasing out of embarkation controls in 1994, no Government have been able to produce an accurate figure for the number of people who are in the country illegally. By its very nature it is impossible to quantify accurately and that remains the case. However, the Government have reintroduced border controls through the e-borders system, which will, in future, allow an estimate to be made.
Subjects
Undocumented migrants
Date
3 December 2009
Reference
172; 715 c72WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what impact the closure of the asylum camp in Calais has had on the number of attempts to enter the United Kingdom illegally through ports in Kent.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what impact the closure of the asylum camp in Calais has had on the number of attempts to enter the United Kingdom illegally through ports in Kent.
Asked by
Lord Condon
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 November 2009
The area of Calais known as "the jungle" was cleared on 22 September 2009, following commitments made by both the UK and French Governments under the Evian agreement. We continue to build on cross-border joint intelligence and enforcement work in order to dismantle organised immigration crime groups. In addition to this, we work closely with our French partners to improve port security and increase the number of returns flights.
As a result of these measures, in October 2009, 569 individual attempts to enter the UK illegally via the juxtaposed controls were detected, compared to 1,170 over the same period in 2008, a reduction of over 50 per cent.* In addition, the number of illegal entrants discovered in the UK, suspected of having entered through ports in Kent, has decreased from 204 in October 2008 to 132 in October 2009, a reduction of 36 per cent. "* Statistics have been sourced from locally collated management information held within locally accessed computer systems and do not represent national statistics. They have not been the subject of national statistics protocols and verification and should therefore be treated as provisional and subject to change."
Subjects
Asylum; Undocumented migrants; France
Date
12 November 2009
Reference
6157; 714 c219WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the role and expectations of the Joint Intelligence Unit formed with the French authorities to counter unauthorised entry from France to the United Kingdom.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the role and expectations of the Joint Intelligence Unit formed with the French authorities to counter unauthorised entry from France to the United Kingdom.
Asked by
Lord Condon
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 November 2009
The Joint Intelligence Unit [JIU] is an intelligence-sharing forum incorporating the UK Border Agency, Kent Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Department of Work and Pensions, Police Aux Frontières and L'Office Central pour la Répression de l’Immigration irrégulière et de l'emploi d'Étrangers Sans Titre (the French anti-trafficking unit). Its role is to build intelligence on both sides of the Channel, to target and dismantle organised immigration crime groups.
The JIU acts as a conduit for information and intelligence from the constituent investigating authorities and develops intelligence products to drive and support action against organised immigration crime. This will result in a stronger border, increased prosecution of facilitators, and improved co-operation between cross-border agencies.
Subjects
Criminal investigation; Cross border cooperation; Undocumented migrants; Human trafficking; France; Organised crime
Date
12 November 2009
Reference
6158; 714 c219-20WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were (a) arrested, and (b) convicted, in each of the past three years for assisting unlawful immigration.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were (a) arrested, and (b) convicted, in each of the past three years for assisting unlawful immigration.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 July 2009
Due to changes in the nature of the system used to record details of arrests made by the UK Border Agency, complete data are only available for the past two financial years.
In 2007-08, a total of 73 individuals were arrested by UK Border Agency staff on suspicion of an offence relating to the facilitation of unlawful entry into the UK (including trafficking); in 2008-09, 127 individuals were arrested for the same reason.
These figures do not constitute part of National Statistics as they are based on internal management information. The information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols and should be treated as provisional and subject to change.
With regards to actual convictions, the Home Office publishes statistics on persons proceeded against for offences under immigration Acts, including offences relating to the facilitation of unlawful entry, in England and Wales annually. These National Statistics on immigration and asylum are placed in the Library of the House and are available from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.
Subjects
Crime; Arrests; Convictions; Immigration; Undocumented migrants
Date
14 July 2009
Reference
4420; 712 c203WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what duties existing employers have to investigate the immigration status of an employee hired before the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 came into force.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what duties existing employers have to investigate the immigration status of an employee hired before the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 came into force.
Asked by
Lord Avebury
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 July 2009
Prior to the implementation of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, legislation to prevent illegal migrant working was in place in the form of Section 8 of the Asylum and Nationality Act 1996. This placeda requirement on employers to check and record certain specified documents before a potential employee is employed, if the employer wanted to establish a statutory defence from prosecution for employing an illegal migrant worker.
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 has, since it came into force on 29 February 2008, allowed the UK Border Agency to instead issue civil penalties of up to £10,000 per worker to employers who are found to be liable for employing illegal migrant workers.
This is combined with the introduction of a new criminal offence of knowingly employing an illegal migrant worker (under Section 21 of the 2006 Act). This will help in the more serious cases where rogue employers knowingly and deliberately use illegal migrant workers, often for personal financial gain. This will carry a maximum two year custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine.
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 does not apply retrospectively; therefore, any employer who is found to have been employing a person illegally prior to 29 February 2008 (when the 2006 Act came into force) may still risk prosecution under Section 8 of the 1996 Act. To comply with the requirements of the 2006 Act, which would apply to employees who started work since 29 February 2008, an employer would have to satisfy themselves of the entitlement of prospective employees to work in the UK to ensure they are not employing an illegal migrant worker before the employment begins.
Subjects
Employment; Undocumented migrants; Migrants
Date
7 July 2009
Reference
712 c136-7WA; 4356
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants were arrested in each of the past five years.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants were arrested in each of the past five years.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 July 2009
The attached table sets out the total number of arrests for suspected illegal entry and Section 10 offences. Due to changes in the nature of the system used to record details of arrests made by the UK Border Agency, complete and reliable data is only available from October 2006.
Section 10 offences include overstaying, working in breach of conditions, claiming public funds in breach of conditions, and obtaining leave to remain by deception.
These figures do not constitute part of National Statistics as they are based on internal management information. The information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, should be treated as provisional and is subject to change.
| Period | Illegal Entry Arrests | Section 10 Arrests |
| Oct 2006-Mar 2007 | 2,546 | 1,337 |
| 2007-08 | 4,626 | 3,924 |
| 2008-09 | 4,362 | 3,739 |
Subjects
Arrests; Undocumented migrants
Date
7 July 2009
Reference
712 c138WA; 4419
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many illegal immigrants were removed in each of the past five years.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many illegal immigrants were removed in each of the past five years.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 July 2009
Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office research, development and statistics directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.
Subjects
Deportation; Undocumented migrants
Date
1 July 2009
Reference
4421; 712 c58WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom.
Asked by
Baroness Warsi
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 July 2009
Since the phasing out of embarkation controls in 1994 no Government have been able to produce an accurate figure for the number of people who are in the country illegally. By its very nature it is impossible to quantify accurately and that remains the case.
However, the Government have reintroduced border controls through the e-borders system which will, in future, allow an estimate to be made.
Subjects
Undocumented migrants
Date
1 July 2009
Reference
4460; 712 c58WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, since the closure of Sangatte camp in 2003, the United Kingdom and France have worked together to create one of the most secure border crossings in the world at Calais. This is achieved through the rigorous searching and screening of lorries, exchanging information on the changing nature of the threat and by sharing high levels of border-control expertise. Last year, we detected and prevented more than 28,000 individual attempts to cross the channel illegally.
My Lords, since the closure of Sangatte camp in 2003, the United Kingdom and France have worked together to create one of the most secure border crossings in the world at Calais. This is achieved through the rigorous searching and screening of lorries, exchanging information on the changing nature of the threat and by sharing high levels of border-control expertise. Last year, we detected and prevented more than 28,000 individual attempts to cross the channel illegally.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Naseby
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action is being taken in Sangatte, France, to stop non-European Union immigrants, particularly young people under 18, from entering the United Kingdom illegally.
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1195-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that was really a series of rolling questions. I do not accept that very large numbers of people under 18 are coming into the country. There is no doubt that some are, and it is quite difficult almost by definition to know exactly how many get in illegally, but we have been very successful at picking up the ones who manage to get through the very strict border controls. We deal with the under-18s very specifically and carefully to ensure that we comply with all the safeguards that are there for people of that sort of age. I will look at the question about Eurotunnel and get back to the noble Lord in writing.
My Lords, that was really a series of rolling questions. I do not accept that very large numbers of people under 18 are coming into the country. There is no doubt that some are, and it is quite difficult almost by definition to know exactly how many get in illegally, but we have been very successful at picking up the ones who manage to get through the very strict border controls. We deal with the under-18s very specifically and carefully to ensure that we comply with all the safeguards that are there for people of that sort of age. I will look at the question about Eurotunnel and get back to the noble Lord in writing.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Naseby
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, while those figures undoubtedly sound very impressive, why are so many people under 18 getting into the United Kingdom? Apparently, we do not deport them with the adults who also get in. Secondly, is not the whole thing made even worse by the fact that Her Majesty’s Government have not paid back to Eurotunnel the amount, which runs into several millions, that it has spent on security? Even today, I am told—I inquired yesterday—about 10 Afghans a day attempt to get into the United Kingdom. Does that not suggest that Her Majesty’s Government’s policy on Afghanistan is somewhat lacking?
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1196
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, what the noble Lord says is true. There is no doubt that this flow of trafficked people—and also some who are not necessarily trafficked but who are economic migrants—is becoming a flood. The global financial crisis will probably add to that. I am aware that we are in discussion with certain countries about this. I do not know the exact detail of it all. Even three years ago I was involved in discussions with the Maltese about the real problem they have of picking up shipping that is coming across the Mediterranean, very often in sinking condition. They are ending up with huge numbers of these people in their island. It is a real problem. Perhaps I could get back to the noble Lord in writing about what dialogue is going on because I am not sure about what exactly is happening in that area.
My Lords, what the noble Lord says is true. There is no doubt that this flow of trafficked people—and also some who are not necessarily trafficked but who are economic migrants—is becoming a flood. The global financial crisis will probably add to that. I am aware that we are in discussion with certain countries about this. I do not know the exact detail of it all. Even three years ago I was involved in discussions with the Maltese about the real problem they have of picking up shipping that is coming across the Mediterranean, very often in sinking condition. They are ending up with huge numbers of these people in their island. It is a real problem. Perhaps I could get back to the noble Lord in writing about what dialogue is going on because I am not sure about what exactly is happening in that area.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Is the Minister aware that Sangatte is not the only camp of this sort within the European Union? There is now a camp at Patras in western Greece for people who have got into Greece, overwhelming the islands on which they have landed. As they are allowed off, they get to the western edge of Greece and then do their best to go illegally from Greece into Italy and then beyond.
Incidentally, this is not a French problem, it is a Schengen problem. Malta is similarly overwhelmed. Can the Government assure us that we are now working very closely with the Governments of Malta and Greece as well as that of Italy to cope with the surge of illegal immigrants being trafficked across the Mediterranean, many of them intending to reach either Britain, Sweden or other countries in northern Europe?
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1198
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord is well aware that we had a long debate on these issues during the passage of the BCI Bill through this House, and I do not intend to go into the detail of that again. We liaise very closely with the French and with the International Organisation for Migration in dealing with people who we think might be under 18. France signed the convention in May 2006. The cases of unaccompanied children who seek asylum are considered by the French authorities. We co-operate daily with the French authorities. Clandestines under the age of 18 are handed into their care and control, and we are content that they deal with them appropriately.
My Lords, the noble Lord is well aware that we had a long debate on these issues during the passage of the BCI Bill through this House, and I do not intend to go into the detail of that again. We liaise very closely with the French and with the International Organisation for Migration in dealing with people who we think might be under 18. France signed the convention in May 2006. The cases of unaccompanied children who seek asylum are considered by the French authorities. We co-operate daily with the French authorities. Clandestines under the age of 18 are handed into their care and control, and we are content that they deal with them appropriately.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Avebury
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, under Clause 57 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill, the UKBA and the contractors who work for it have to safeguard the welfare of children under their control, but only in the United Kingdom and not at the juxtaposed controls that are referred to in the Question. Will the Minister say what the logic is of applying different standards to the treatment of children according to whether they are in Yarl’s Wood or Sangatte? Will he also say why such a duty would prevent the authorities handing over a child to the French or the Belgians, where the child is refused leave to enter or is found to be at risk, as they do at present? What will be contained in this duty that will stop them doing that?
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1196
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the United Kingdom and France remain firmly opposed to any sort of Sangatte reception centre. There has been some confusion because there is a facility within our juxtaposed controls, which is a bit like a portakabin, where we hold people when they have been pulled off these lorries temporarily. We want to construct a better and more appropriate facility to do that before they are returned to the French. I think that is where there has been some confusion. We are in dialogue with the French about that, as we are on a number of issues to do with costs around the port of Calais.
My Lords, the United Kingdom and France remain firmly opposed to any sort of Sangatte reception centre. There has been some confusion because there is a facility within our juxtaposed controls, which is a bit like a portakabin, where we hold people when they have been pulled off these lorries temporarily. We want to construct a better and more appropriate facility to do that before they are returned to the French. I think that is where there has been some confusion. We are in dialogue with the French about that, as we are on a number of issues to do with costs around the port of Calais.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Hanham
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, Sangatte has gone. There were rumours that the Mayor of Calais was going to establish further reception centres. Will the Minister tell us if any discussions have taken place on that and, if so, where we are on this?
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1197-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I would like to say easily that anyone would rather live in this country than in France, but I dare not say something like that on the Floor of the House. There is no doubt that if someone is genuinely fleeing persecution, they should claim asylum in the first safe country that they get to. If they are not in need of protection, we and the French expect to return them home. There are complexities in French law, but we are dealing with the French very closely. The new Minister, Eric Besson, has been in dialogue with my honourable friend Phil Woolas about this. There is a lot of work to do. The French genuinely want to help, but they have real difficulties. It is very complicated, but absolutely anyone who comes should be taken in the first country that they get to. This is a real problem.
My Lords, I would like to say easily that anyone would rather live in this country than in France, but I dare not say something like that on the Floor of the House. There is no doubt that if someone is genuinely fleeing persecution, they should claim asylum in the first safe country that they get to. If they are not in need of protection, we and the French expect to return them home. There are complexities in French law, but we are dealing with the French very closely. The new Minister, Eric Besson, has been in dialogue with my honourable friend Phil Woolas about this. There is a lot of work to do. The French genuinely want to help, but they have real difficulties. It is very complicated, but absolutely anyone who comes should be taken in the first country that they get to. This is a real problem.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Earl of Onslow
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, am I right in assuming that these gentlemen who wish to come in from Afghanistan or Kurdistan are illegal immigrants into France when they are in France? If I am right, can someone explain why the French do not send them back to Afghanistan rather than just leaving them to us to send back if they get over?
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1197
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Countess raises an important point. We have real concerns not just about the attempted entry of illegals into the CTA through Ireland but about serious crime and other issues. That issue was raised in our debates on the BCI Bill, and we discussed it. We have had a lot of debates with the Irish Government on this issue. They want us to strengthen our border controls, and they have already gone about strengthening their own.
My Lords, the noble Countess raises an important point. We have real concerns not just about the attempted entry of illegals into the CTA through Ireland but about serious crime and other issues. That issue was raised in our debates on the BCI Bill, and we discussed it. We have had a lot of debates with the Irish Government on this issue. They want us to strengthen our border controls, and they have already gone about strengthening their own.
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Asked by
Countess of Mar
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, there are reports in the press that people who find the French crossing too difficult now pay to fly to Ireland and come in from that direction. If those reports are true, will the Minister say what discussions he has had with the Irish Government to prevent this happening?
Subjects
Borders; Immigration controls; Undocumented migrants; France; Security
Date
18 May 2009
Reference
710 c1197
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords