Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Clarkson Excerpts

Tuesday 30th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Nick Fletcher (Don Valley) (Con)]

4. What diplomatic steps he is taking to strengthen international co-operation on tackling illegal migration.

[Chris Clarkson (Heywood and Middleton) (Con)]

5. What diplomatic steps he is taking to strengthen international co-operation on tackling illegal migration.

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

13. What diplomatic steps he is taking to strengthen international co-operation on tackling illegal migration.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Mitchell]

Yes, my hon. Friend makes a good point. He will have seen that on 17 April we signed an agreement with Vietnam to tackle irregular migration and reduce channel crossing casualties. The numbers of Vietnamese people coming across the channel has been one of the fastest rising groups in recent months.

[Chris Clarkson]

Recently, the Irish Tánaiste stated that he believed the increase in irregular migration to the Republic of Ireland was a direct result of the deterrent effect of our Rwanda policy. The Irish Government have since made moves to try to remove those illegal migrants back to the UK. What conversations has my right hon. Friend had with EU counterparts and Home Office colleagues about ensuring there is no returns policy with the EU unless a reciprocal agreement is made?

[Mr Mitchell]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point: what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. The movement of asylum seekers from the UK to the southern Irish Republic would suggest that the Rwanda agreement is already having the deterrent effect we are seeking.