§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the Channel Tunnel terminal at Cheriton this year; and how many of them have applied for asylum. [5280]
§ Angela EagleProvisional figures indicate that, from 1 January 2001 to midnight on 14 July, 3,538 clandestine entrants have been detected at the Cheriton Terminal. The overwhelming majority claimed asylum in the United Kingdom. Action is in hand to implement Civil Penalties in respect of the Eurotunnel shuttles following a period of consultation. A consultation document including a draft code of practice, regulations and a Regulatory Impact Assessment was handed to Eurotunnel on 18 July. A copy of the document will be on the Home Office website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk from 20 July.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in completing the security arrangements at the Coquelles terminal of the Channel Tunnel. [5291]
§ Angela EagleThe work on the inner security cordon around the platforms and freight allocation areas on the Coquelles site is not yet complete. The main fencing is in place but work remains to he done to complete protection on the over-bridges leading to the platforms and to secure some access points for road and rail. Eurotunnel also propose an extension to the inner cordon to protect the rail entrance route to the platforms.
Action is in hand to implement civil penalties in respect of the Eurotunnel shuttles following a period of consultation. Officials met Eurotunnel on 18 July and outlined a number of improvements that needed urgent action.