Small Boat Deaths: Cranston Inquiry Report

Debate between Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway

Wednesday 25th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness O’Grady of Upper Holloway (Lab)]

My Lords, we know that war and conflict is the key driver of the number of refugees and asylum seekers. Given the state of the world, what is my noble friend the Minister’s assessment of the impact of that on the resources that will be needed to ensure safe passage?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I am afraid that this particular Minister is ill qualified to work out the effects of international conflict. What I should say in respect of those matters for which the department is responsible is that we have to be ready for all the numbers in order to ensure the safety at sea of all those who go to sea, however they go to sea.