HL Deb 30 April 2002 vol 634 cc90-1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are making progress on:

  1. (a) discussions with the Government of France on joint initiatives and juxtaposed control for immigration and asylum purposes; and
  2. (b) "legitimate gateways" for entry into the United Kingdom with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees; and
  3. (c) when will they provide detailed information to Parliament on these matters. [HL3936]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)

We continue to work closely with France to address the problem of cross-Channel illegal migration and achieve a situation in which the Red Cross Centre at Sangatte can be closed. A package of measures was announced following a meeting between my right honourable friend the Home Secretary (David Blunkett) and Daniel Vaillant in September. Since then bilateral discussion and a special Cross-Channel Commission subgroup has been set up to look specifically at the issue of Sangatte and how to deal with its residents. The group has met twice, in Paris on 13 February and in London on 18 March. A further meeting will take place shortly.

We look forward to pursuing these matters with the new French Government once one is in place and will naturally announce new measures as they are agreed.

Juxtaposed controls have been in place since June 2001 at stations in the United Kingdom (UK) and France served by Eurostar. Since 4 February, these controls have applied to all passengers intending to board UK-bound services, including those travelling between Paris and Calais with domestic-only tickets. This has effectively closed off what was a major route through which improperly documented passengers arrived in the United Kingdom.

The provision of a legislative base for funding a resettlement programme, which would operate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is included in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. It will not be possible to begin any programme until that provision has cleared Parliament and received Royal Assent. My officials are at present, therefore, developing a best practice model in consultation with other government departments, and expert groups that could be the basis for a programme, should sufficient funding be available.