Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Charlie Elphicke Excerpts
Monday 5th January 2015

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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We remain on track to support several hundred vulnerable individuals over the next three years. The figures underline that. Those who benefit from the scheme are chosen by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, with whom we work in close co-operation. It is therefore the UNHCR that advances and puts forward individual cases based on the vulnerability-type factors that the hon. Lady identified.

Charlie Elphicke Portrait Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con)
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11. What recent discussions she has had with the French authorities on border security at Calais.

James Brokenshire Portrait The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Brokenshire)
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It is in the interests of both the UK and France to work together to tackle migratory pressures at Calais. The Home Secretary last met the French Interior Minister on 5 December. We continue to work closely with the French authorities on all matters of border security and cross-border criminality to maintain the integrity of our joint border controls.

Charlie Elphicke Portrait Charlie Elphicke
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Can my hon. Friend confirm that the £12 million in the agreement will be spent on bolstering security and not on a welcome centre at Calais? Will he also reject representations from UKIP that the border controls at Calais should be scrapped and brought back to Dover?

James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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I am very pleased to underline the points that my hon. Friend makes. We are not providing financial support for any day centres. Our financial support is focused on security at Calais and on confronting the organised criminality that seeks to take advantage of those trying to come to the UK. The juxtaposed controls absolutely benefit this country and we have no plans to change that.