English Channel Small Boats Incident
Debate between Christopher Chope and Priti Patel(3 years ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Priti Patel
The answer is no, because the Nationality and Borders Bill does create safe and legal routes.
Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)
At the end of her statement, my right hon. Friend said that crossing the channel in a small boat was illegal. Would that it were, but it is not illegal, as was confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service on 8 July. What would make it illegal would be passing into law my Illegal Immigration (Offences) Bill, whose Second Reading is due to take place tomorrow. I should be grateful if my right hon. Friend would agree to meet me to discuss the content of that Bill and how it will contribute to what we all want to see, which is an end to this vile trade.
Priti Patel
I certainly think that more needs to be done, so Ministers would be happy to meet my hon. Friend.