Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many £2,000 fines have been imposed on(a) British and (b) foreign hauliers for attempted smuggling of illegal immigrants; how many of these fines have been (i) paid and (ii) waived; and if he will make a statement. [146449]
§ Mrs. RochePersons who deliberately facilitate the arrival of illegal entrants are liable to criminal prosecution. The civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 enable the imposition of a penalty on those who, through negligence or otherwise, allow their vehicles to be used by persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom clandestinely. The penalty is £2,000 for each clandestine entrant carried.
Since 3 April 2000 when the provisions where implemented, and as at 18 January 2001, 743 civil penalties have been imposed on persons found to have carried between them a total of 4,124 clandestine entrants. One hundred and ninety-four of the penalties where imposed on British hauliers in respect of a total of 1,023 clandestine entrants carried.
Sixty one penalties, with a combined value of £532,000 have been paid in full and agreement has been reached for the payment of a further 35 penalties with a total value of £384,000.
One hundred and seventy five penalties have been withdrawn or were not pursued because a valid defence against their imposition has been made.