Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 32
French refusal to intercept migrant boats undermines deterrence of Channel crossings.
Conclusion
The greatest deterrent to perilous crossings of the channel on unseaworthy vessels with actively dangerous ‘life-jackets’ would be to prevent such crossings ever leaving France. Alternatively the French authorities with or without British assistance could intercept the boats once in French territorial waters and return them to French land whence they started their journey, as international maritime lawyers advised us they were legally entitled to do. This would soon have the deterrent effect at preventing people risking a dangerous and expensive round trip to and from French beaches but the French Government refuses to countenance such a policy. We believe that discussions with the French as to what it would take for them to change this policy are essential. Creation of a safe and legal route for those who might successfully seek asylum in the UK having passed through the European continent could provide such a disincentive and deterrent, though that would not necessarily apply to those seeking to come to the UK with a very weak case for being accepted as an asylum seeker here.
Government Response Summary
The government states it continues close working with France and other partners to prevent channel crossings and break smuggling models, aiming to conclude a package of measures this Autumn and agree to collective action with international partners.
Paragraph Reference:
32
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The cross-Government effort against these dangerous, unnecessary, and illegal Channel crossings continues to prioritise close working with France and other near-border countries, to prevent launch attempts and break the business model of smugglers. This includes ever-closer operational, law enforcement and intelligence cooperation. The goal is to ensure that boats can be prevented from leaving in the first place; and that French authorities have the resources and information they need to intercept these dangerous journeys before they reach the median line or the traffic separation scheme. The Home Office continues to co-operate closely with the French Government on illegal migration to end dangerous journeys across the Channel with the intention to conclude a package of measures this Autumn. of origin as well as countries of transit on migrants’ journeys towards the French coast. The UK will be joining together with international partners from near neighbour countries to agree to take collective action to tackle the issue of illegal migration.