§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the French authorities about the reduction in immigration officers at French ports; what representations he has made; and if he will make a statement. [174]
§ Angela EagleThe withdrawal of immigration control authorities from small ports in the north of France was discussed at the United Kingdom-French summit at Cahors in February.
At the summit French Ministers gave an assurance that they were not reducing immigration controls but simply rationalising the roles of the various border control agencies. Where the PAF (the French Border Police) are withdrawn from a port the Douane will undertake immigration functions.
53WUnited Kingdom officials are in regular contact with their French counterparts and are monitoring the situation closely.