To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the merits of offering an amnesty to illegal migrants; and if she will make a statement. (269153)

The Government have ruled out an amnesty and this remains our position. An amnesty would be unfair to those who are here legally; it would act as a pull factor for even more attempts at illegal immigration; and it would counter the achievements by the UK Border Agency to improve our border and immigration system.