PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Mediterranean Sea: Rescue Services (27 November 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to tackle the criminalisation of humanitarian assistance to migrants as evidenced by the recent seizure of the migrant rescue vessel Aquarius; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Fabian Hamilton (Labour)

The UK Government is aware that, on 20 November 2018, Italian authorities issued a warrant for the seizure of the Marine Vessel Aquarius on grounds of waste pollution. According to the ship's operators, the vessel has been at the French port of Marseille since 4 October 2018 and, in the absence of a Flag State, is unable to leave port. Consequently the warrant has not yet been executed. It is not appropriate for the UK Government to comment on the legal process initiated by the Italian authorities.

Answered by:
Sir Alan Duncan (Conservative)
5 December 2018