Written Question
Tuesday 4th July 2023
Asked by:
Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Murray of Blidworth on 19 June (HL8185), whether there is any way in which boats “disposed of by Border Force’s approved contractors” could be reused by people smugglers.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided to Question HL7826 on 23 May.
Written Question
Monday 19th June 2023
Asked by:
Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they have taken (1) to identify the source of boats used for people smuggling to the UK, and (2) to stop the supply of boats used for such smuggling from being obtained by the smugglers.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The Home Office works closely with international partners and with manufacturers to tackle the supply of the small boats used in these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossings.
However, it would not be in the interests of operational security to detail the specific activities being undertaken.
Written Question
Monday 19th June 2023
Asked by:
Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Murray of Blidworth on 30 May (HL7826), whether there is any way in which boats "disposed of by Border Force's approved contractors" could be reused by people smugglers.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
All vessels that have been subject to seizure are held by Border Force until completion of any criminal investigation activities.
The majority of boats are not fit for re-sale and unseaworthy, as they arrive in very poor condition and may be damaged during the recovery process.
The boats are disposed of by Border Force’s approved contractors and, where appropriate, any suitable materials are recycled. There are no plans to revisit these arrangements.
Written Question
Tuesday 30th May 2023
Asked by:
Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place to dispose of boats used to bring illegal migrants across the English Channel; and whether they plan to revisit these arrangements.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
All vessels that have been subject to seizure are held by Border Force until completion of any criminal investigation activities. The majority of boats are not fit for re-sale or to ever go to sea again, as they arrive in very poor condition and may be damaged during the recovery process. The boats are disposed of by Border Force’s approved contractors and, where appropriate, any suitable materials are recycled. There are no plans to revisit these arrangements.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 22 Nov 2022
Public Order Bill
"My Lords, this has been a fascinating debate, has it not? We have spent almost as much time debating this clause, which was not, of course, part of the Bill in the first place, as the House of Commons spent debating the entire Bill. I broadly support my noble friend …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 16 Nov 2022
Public Order Bill
"My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Blower, and even more of a pleasure to reflect on the words of our good friend, the noble Lord, Lord Hendy. Before he came into this House, I do not think that we had quite the same level …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 16 Nov 2022
Public Order Bill
"I suggest to my noble friend that it also leads to juries being less and less likely to convict because they see these offences as being very spurious...."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 01 Nov 2022
Public Order Bill
"My Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Jones. I always agree with some things she says, but generally not with that much. Tonight, I think we edge towards more agreement. This Bill leaves me feeling very worried. First, I would ask whether it is …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 27 Oct 2022
50th Anniversary of the Expulsion of Asians from Uganda
"My Lords, I join the many congratulations to my noble friend Lord Popat on initiating this debate. He was a distinguished Minister when I joined this House and I have always admired the way in which he has conducted his ministerial and other jobs. I thank him very much.
I …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 06 Apr 2022
Ukraine: Refugees
"My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Helic, for introducing this debate and for her thorough and moving speech. I have watched this from afar and one of the few rays of sunshine has been the appointment of the Minister to his present role. I am only sorry …..."Lord Balfe - View Speech
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