HC Deb 27 April 1995 vol 258 cc672-4W
Dr. Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the entry through the port of Dover of heavy goods vehicles; [20749]

(2) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the entry of heavy goods vehicles through east coast ports between the Thames ports in London and North End and Newcastle; [20751]

(3) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the transportation of heavy goods vehicles through the channel tunnel; and where those units are based; [20747]

(4) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the entry of heavy goods vehicles through the channel ports, from Ramsgate to Plymouth. [20748]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

There is one unit, based at Dover, equipped with dogs specially trained for the purpose of detecting people hidden in vehicles. The use of dogs in this way forms part of the operational measures to combat illegal entry. In addition to the ports in the south-east district, the dogs have been deployed at Felixstowe, Harwich, Newhaven, Southampton, Portsmouth and Poole.

Dr. Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what equipment is being used in and around the channel tunnel to detect the possible presence of illegal passengers in the freight containers of heavy goods vehicles using the tunnel. [20760]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

No special equipment is used by the immigration service in and around the channel tunnel in order to detect the presence of illegal entrants. However, there is scope for using specially trained dogs at Cheriton for this purpose.

Dr. Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many immigration officers currently employed on permanent contracts to monitor the movement of illegal passengers are based permanently at(a) Ramsgate, (b) Dover, (c) Newhaven, (d) Portsmouth, (e) Southampton, (f) Poole and (g) Plymouth; [20750]

(2) how many United Kingdom immigration officers are currently employed on permanent contracts to monitor the movement of illegal passengers in and around the channel tunnel and where those officers are based. [20746]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

The detection of passengers attempting to enter illegally forms part of the duties of all immigration officers. The number of immigration officers in post on 31 March 1995 at the ports cited was as follows:(a) Ramsgate: 12, (b) Dover: 188.5, (c) Newhaven: 18.5, (d) Portsmouth: 30, (e) Southampton: 11, (f) Poole: 3, and (g) Plymouth: 8. There were a further 62 immigration officers based at Waterloo international terminal and 22.5 at Cheriton. Immigration officers based at Dover and Cheriton staff the channel tunnel control at Coquelles in France.

Dr. Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been apprehended during 1994–95 by the United Kingdom authorities(a) at a port of entry in the act of attempting to obtain illegal entry to the United Kingdom by hiding in the freight containers of heavy goods vehicles and (b) at inland locations, the vehicles having passed through the port of entry. [20761]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

A total of 1,742 illegal entrants who arrived by clandestine means were detected in the year ended 31 December 1994, the latest period for which statistics—currently provisional—are available. A breakdown of this figure by method of clandestine entry and by port of detection is not available.

Dr. Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking in co-operation with Europol/Interpol and with his counterparts in other EU member states to combat the activities of criminals in Italy and France engaged in smuggling illegal immigrants into the United Kingdom. [20759]

Mr. Maclean

At their meeting on 9 and 10 March 1995, European Union Interior and Justice Ministers agreed to extend the remit of the Europol drugs unit to include the exchange and analysis of intelligence on crimes involving illegal immigration networks and the criminal organisations involved. Through the national criminal intelligence service UK police and immigration officers are actively involved in planning the work of the EDU in this field. There are already good bilateral links between the UK, France and Italy.