PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Undocumented Migrants: English Channel (28 August 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of section 31 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 on the rate of illegal crossings of the English Channel.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

Section 31 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 sets out the defences available to a refugee if charged with certain offences connected to entering the UK, and is in accordance with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Refugee Convention.

The Home Secretary has been clear that she will explore all options to review the UK immigration system in order to deter people from making dangerous journeys such as crossing the Channel, and promptly return those who have no right to be in the UK.

Answered by:
Chris Philp (Conservative)
7 September 2020