HC Deb 14 March 2002 vol 381 c1204W
Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the freight industry of the actions of people attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally; and if he will make a statement. [43033]

Mr. Jamieson

The Government recognise that the current disruption to channel tunnel rail freight services caused by would-be illegal immigrants attempting to board these trains on the continent is causing severe hardship to many businesses in this country which depend on these services. We are pressing the French Government at the highest levels to ensure that sufficient police resources are applied to address the problem so that normal freight services can resume as soon as possible.

There is no evidence to date that the actions of people attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally have had any significant impact on UK road freight operations.

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