1-20 of 9,689 results for subject:"English Channel"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.278 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.012 seconds
- Search query
- subject:"English Channel"
- We searched for
- subject_t:"English Channel" OR subject_ses:9944
Type
House
Session
More
Year
More
Department
More
Member
More
Primary member
More
Answering member
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
More
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether vessels chartered under the contract between her Department and Aeolian Offshore Ltd were (a) available and (b) requested for the operations off the Isle of Wight and Hampshire on 6 September and 22 September 2026; and what the reasons...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether vessels chartered under the contract between her Department and Aeolian Offshore Ltd were (a) available and (b) requested for the operations off the Isle of Wight and Hampshire on 6 September and 22 September 2026; and what the reasons...
The Home Office does not comment on operational tactics, capabilities or procedures relating to maritime operations. Responsibility for the coordination and tasking of search and rescue operations within the UK Search and Rescue Region rests with HM Coastguard, an agency of the Department for Transport. You may therefore wish to direct questions concerning the operation of search and rescue vessels to the Secretary of State for Transport.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2026 to question 35685 on Shipping: Russia, who is responsible for meeting the cost of detaining MV SMYRTOS at anchorage.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2026 to question 35685 on Shipping: Russia, who is responsible for meeting the cost of detaining MV SMYRTOS at anchorage.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on whether the US intends to seek safe passage for Russian Shadow Fleet vessels transiting the English Channel with Russian diesel fuel bound for the United States.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on whether the US intends to seek safe passage for Russian Shadow Fleet vessels transiting the English Channel with Russian diesel fuel bound for the United States.
As our closest defence and security partner, we engage and collaborate with the US regularly on a range of issues. The UK government has taken firm action against Russia's shadow fleet, including the interdiction of the MV Smyrtos earlier this year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, at what point responsibility for a small boat in difficulty transfers from French search and rescue authorities to HM Coastguard.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, at what point responsibility for a small boat in difficulty transfers from French search and rescue authorities to HM Coastguard.
Responsibility for a small boat in difficulty transfers from French search and rescue authorities to HM Coastguard when it crosses from the French Search and Rescue Region into the UK Search and Rescue Region. The Search and Rescue Region is a defined geographic area assigned to the UK, as a coastal state, to manage maritime and aeronautical emergencies. The coordinates are agreed with and published internationally by the United Nations International Maritime Organisation.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the measurable objectives attached to UK funding provided to France for tackling small boat crossings.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the measurable objectives attached to UK funding provided to France for tackling small boat crossings.
France is the UK’s primary operational partner in tackling small boat crossings. The 2026–29 UK-France deal is focused on reducing dangerous Channel crossings and disrupting the organised criminal gangs behind them.
UK-funded activity is subject to robust joint monitoring and assessment of its effectiveness, including its impact on reducing illegal crossings. This ensures funding is directed towards activity that delivers the greatest impact, while allowing our joint response to adapt to emerging threats and the evolving tactics of organised criminal gangs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the current status of the Russian Shadow Fleet vessel SMYRTOS.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the current status of the Russian Shadow Fleet vessel SMYRTOS.
The MV SMYRTOS has been detained by the Secretary of State for Transport, using the powers conferred on her under regulations 57C and 57D of the Russia (Sanctions)(EU Exit) Regulations 2019, since 15th June 2026. It remains detained at anchorage.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason was an RAF Protector RG-1 tasked to support the Home Office in the English Channel on 14 October 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason was an RAF Protector RG-1 tasked to support the Home Office in the English Channel on 14 October 2026.
The Ministry of Defence regularly and routinely monitors our waters to protect UK interests, contribute to domestic maritime security, and act as a deterrent against potentially malign activities.
The deployment the hon. Member refers to was conducted in support of Defence aims, not in support of the Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts about strengthening cooperation to prevent small boat crossings in the English Channel.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts about strengthening cooperation to prevent small boat crossings in the English Channel.
The Government is working with European partners to strengthen collective efforts to deter illegal migration and prevent dangerous Channel crossings, most notably with France. The UK maintains regular engagement with the French Government at all levels on illegal migration and border security.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has his Department made of the potential impact of interdicting Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting the English Channel carrying diesel bound for the United States on international relations with the United States.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has his Department made of the potential impact of interdicting Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting the English Channel carrying diesel bound for the United States on international relations with the United States.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to question 33975 on 15 October.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish any human rights assessments, legal advice or equivalent analyses undertaken in relation to the UK-France Agreement on the Prevention of Dangerous Journeys, including assessments of its compatibility with (1) domestic law, (2) the European Convention on Human Rights, and...
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish any human rights assessments, legal advice or equivalent analyses undertaken in relation to the UK-France Agreement on the Prevention of Dangerous Journeys, including assessments of its compatibility with (1) domestic law, (2) the European Convention on Human Rights, and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of interdicting Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting the English Channel carrying diesel bound for the US on the military relationship between the US and the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of interdicting Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting the English Channel carrying diesel bound for the US on the military relationship between the US and the UK.
We remain ready to take action to against shadow fleet vessels. We will not provide a running commentary or get into details of our decision-making process, as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action, which would only benefit our adversaries. The US remains our closest defence and security partner.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether information is shared with the French authorities concerning the identification and disposal of small boats used in attempted Channel crossings, including information that could assist in establishing whether individual boats are subsequently reused.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether information is shared with the French authorities concerning the identification and disposal of small boats used in attempted Channel crossings, including information that could assist in establishing whether individual boats are subsequently reused.
Small boats recovered by UK authorities are examined for intelligence and evidential purposes before being disposed of. These vessels are not returned to France for re-use. Vessels seized or prevented from crossing by French law enforcement officers are also destroyed.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements are in place to minimise the risk that small boats recovered in connection with attempted Channel crossings but not seized by UK authorities cannot subsequently re-enter the supply chain used by organised immigration crime groups.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements are in place to minimise the risk that small boats recovered in connection with attempted Channel crossings but not seized by UK authorities cannot subsequently re-enter the supply chain used by organised immigration crime groups.
Small boats recovered by UK authorities are examined for intelligence and evidential purposes before being disposed of. These vessels are not returned to France for re-use. Vessels seized or prevented from crossing by French law enforcement officers are also destroyed.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information the Department holds on the proportion of small boats recovered by French authorities following attempted Channel crossings that are subsequently reused in further attempts to reach the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information the Department holds on the proportion of small boats recovered by French authorities following attempted Channel crossings that are subsequently reused in further attempts to reach the UK.
Small boats recovered by UK authorities are examined for intelligence and evidential purposes before being disposed of. These vessels are not returned to France for re-use. Vessels seized or prevented from crossing by French law enforcement officers are also destroyed.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions the Government has had with the French authorities about the disposal of small boats recovered following attempted Channel crossings, including whether any such boats are subsequently returned to locations from which further crossings can be attempted.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions the Government has had with the French authorities about the disposal of small boats recovered following attempted Channel crossings, including whether any such boats are subsequently returned to locations from which further crossings can be attempted.
Small boats recovered by UK authorities are examined for intelligence and evidential purposes before being disposed of. These vessels are not returned to France for re-use. Vessels seized or prevented from crossing by French law enforcement officers are also destroyed.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information the Government holds on the onward disposal or transportation to France of small boats recovered from people attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information the Government holds on the onward disposal or transportation to France of small boats recovered from people attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK.
Small boats recovered by UK authorities are examined for intelligence and evidential purposes before being disposed of. These vessels are not returned to France for re-use. Vessels seized or prevented from crossing by French law enforcement officers are also destroyed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has his department made of the potential impact of interdicting Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting the English Channel carrying diesel bound for the United States.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has his department made of the potential impact of interdicting Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting the English Channel carrying diesel bound for the United States.
On 14 June, the UK interdicted the Shadow Fleet vessel SMYRTOS. Following this operation we have seen a significant diversion of Shadow Fleet vessels away from the English Channel owing to the risk of being interdicted.
Sanctions have denied Russia access to at least $495 billion since February 2022. The UK has sanctioned 640 Shadow Fleet vessels causing severe disruption, with many sanctioned tankers still unable to load or unload Russian cargo, thereby imposing additional costs on Russia's oil trade. We will not comment on future interdiction operations.
MI5 boss Sir Ken McCallum yesterday revealed that there have been 50 arrests in the last year linked to Iran, and I have to say that this Government deserve praise. They deserve praise for proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—a very important move. But every single week there are young, unidentified males from Iran coming into this country, some of whom pose a genuine security threat to our nation. Is it not time the Government recognised that what is going on in the English channel is a national security emergency?
MI5 boss Sir Ken McCallum yesterday revealed that there have been 50 arrests in the last year linked to Iran, and I have to say that this Government deserve praise. They deserve praise for proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—a very important move. But every single week there are young, unidentified males from Iran coming into this country, some of whom pose a genuine security threat to our nation. Is it not time the Government recognised that what is going on in the English channel is a national security emergency?
Can I start just by recognising, with the charges that have been laid against the individual responsible for the murder of Ann Widdecombe, and indeed for also making threats against the hon. Member, that it has been a hard time for him and his family? There is a lot we disagree on, but I defend his right to say it, and I will work hard to secure his safety and that of every Member of this House. We will involve all sides in the Lovegrove review that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has established.
On the issues related to Iran, obviously we have seen the issues at RAF Fairford recently. They have been dealt with in the right way and with the utmost seriousness by the police and security services. The key point is that, of course, we do need to get boat crossings down. I hope the hon. Member would recognise that they are coming down and removals are up. There is much more to be done, but there is clearly progress in the right direction.
Can I start just by recognising, with the charges that have been laid against the individual responsible for the murder of Ann Widdecombe, and indeed for also making threats against the hon. Member, that it has been a hard time for him and his family? There is a lot we disagree on, but I defend his right to say it, and I will work hard to secure his safety and that of every Member of this House. We will involve all sides in the Lovegrove review that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has established.
On the issues related to Iran, obviously we have seen the issues at RAF Fairford recently. They have been dealt with in the right way and with the utmost seriousness by the police and security services. The key point is that, of course, we do need to get boat crossings down. I hope the hon. Member would recognise that they are coming down and removals are up. There is much more to be done, but there is clearly progress in the right direction.