PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Mediterranean Sea: Rescue Services (28 November 2018)

The UK Government does not support search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean led by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), however, we do support a range of other NGO-provided services to migrants. We value the contribution of NGOs to Search and Rescue in the central Mediterranean and are concerned about the increasing fatality rate that has coincided with the effective cessation of Search and Rescue operations, due to lack of assurances over safe disembarkation. UK Government officials have an ongoing dialogue with the NGOs and the UK continues to work with our international partners to seek solutions to the ongoing impasse over search and rescue in the Central Mediterranean.