Questions
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of France regarding its intention to establish camps for refugees and immigrants on the coast near Calais. [HL2324]
Phil Woolas met with Eric Besson, the French Minister for Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Solidarity-based Development, on 11 February 2009. Both Ministers reiterated their opposition to any sort of reception centre which might act as a magnet for illegal immigrants, traffickers and smugglers.
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have been advised whether any information will be provided at the proposed camps for refugees and immigrants near Calais regarding the seeking of asylum in the United Kingdom. [HL2325]
Phil Woolas met with Eric Besson, the French Minister for Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Solidarity-based Development, on 11 February 2009.
Both Ministers reiterated their opposition to any sort of reception centre which might act as a magnet for illegal immigrants, traffickers and smugglers. The French and UK authorities work directly and with local organisations in the Calais region to ensure illegal immigrants are informed of their options. This includes the option to return home voluntarily or claim asylum in France as well as information on the dangers involved in pursuing clandestine entry to the UK.
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants who have been detained entering the United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel since the closure of the French Red Cross centre at Sangatte have since been removed. [HL2327]
This information could only be obtained by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of persons removed and departed voluntarily from the UK, on a quarterly and annual basis. 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 www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.