§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has made to(a) United Kingdom, (b) European Union and (c) other international business organisations regarding clandestine entrants seeking to enter the United Kingdom through consignments; [78612]
(2) what advice he has given to United Kingdom businesses concerned in the consignment of goods to the United Kingdom through European Union ports of embarkation about the prevention of clandestine entrants. [78613]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 29 March 1999]: I have had a number of meetings with representatives of the road haulage industry and officials meet regularly with this group and with representatives of shipping and air transport companies. I understand that the transportation companies in their turn have discussions with their customers. There has been little, if any, direct contact between the Home Office and individual businesses regarding the problems of clandestine entrants; and we have not made any separate representations or issued separate advice to those bodies, beyond the representations and advice given to hauliers and other transportation companies.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which clandestine entrants change vehicles during ferry crossings. [78614]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 29 March 1999]: Neither the Immigration Service nor the major ferry operator at Dover has presented any evidence that would support the suggestion that clandestine entrants change vehicles during ferry crossings. It would be difficult for would-be clandestine entrants to leave one vehicle and enter another on a well-lit car ferry deck monitored by Closed Circuit Television cameras without being seen, and the individuals concerned would gain no advantage by doing so.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to lorry drivers and the road haulage industry as to(a) how to deal 7W with clandestine entrants discovered in vehicles on entry to the United Kingdom and (b) the physical risk to drivers in such circumstances. [78610]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 29 March 1999]: The advice given to date relates to safeguards to prevent would-be illegal entrants from securing entry in the first place. Where a driver discovers people in his vehicle whom he suspects may have entered the country illegally, he should inform the police or the local immigration office.
I welcome the fact that the Freight Transport Association has issued guidance to its members. The Immigration Service will be working closely with the FTA and the Road Haulage Association to develop the proposed Code of Practice. In doing so, they will draw on the FI'A' s helpful advice.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to ferry operators in the last 12 months on improving security to prevent clandestine entrants gaining access to the United Kingdom; and if he will list the measure taken as a result. [78611]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 29 March 1999]: Immigration Service staff are in regular contact with the major ferry operators arriving at Dover. Following discussions about clandestine immigration through Belgian ports, a number of changes have been made to port security procedures at Ostend and Zeebrugge. These include increased police patrols on access roads, night patrols in the port area and systematic loading checks. I understand that ferry operators have also met the Calais Chamber of Commerce to discuss improving security at that port.