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Immigration Controls

Volume 493: debated on Thursday 11 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the United Nations on its new humanitarian centre at Calais; and if he will make a statement. (278548)

The Government maintain regular contact with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in the area of immigration.

UNHCR intends to deploy a staff member to the Calais area to support local authorities and partners in the provision of accurate support and information for migrants in the area. The Government are not aware of a new humanitarian centre being provided by the UNHCR, and would remain firmly opposed to any kind of permanent accommodation centre that would attract illegal immigrants and the traffickers who prey on them.