§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated number of illegal immigrants who entered the United Kingdom by hiding in motor vehicles during 1999.[115596]
§ Mrs. RocheInformation is recorded centrally on the numbers of persons issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine entrants. This information is collated by the date of issue of notice of illegal entry and does not contain details of the date of entry to the United Kingdom. We have no estimate of the number of persons entering clandestinely whose illegal entry has not yet come to light or of those who claim to have entered illegally, but where a notice of illegal entry has not yet been served. For these reasons, I am unable to provide the information requested.
Provisional information indicates that around 16,500 persons were issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine illegal entrants during 1999.