Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Eagle and Douglas McAllister
Monday 31st March 2025

(1 week, 4 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Douglas McAllister Portrait Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)
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There has been a recent slew of successful European sting operations that have resulted in the arrest of prominent individuals involved in people-smuggling gangs. Does the Minister agree that this highlights the crucial importance of international co-operation, and signals that Labour’s plan to smash the gangs is working?

Angela Eagle Portrait The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)
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Hard, tough cross-border policing takes time. [Interruption.] Conservative Members may laugh, but on a recent joint action day led by German and Belgian authorities, 500 German officers arrested targets and seized dozens of boats and engines, including some in warehouses targeted by the National Crime Agency. On a joint action day led by German police earlier this month, there were seven arrests in eight raided locations, and 90 dangerous life jackets were seized. That demonstrates a momentum in joint working that will put pressure on the criminal gangs.