Child Refugees: Calais Debate

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Department: Home Office

Child Refugees: Calais

David Nuttall Excerpts
Monday 29th February 2016

(8 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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I think that the hon. Gentleman can see from the Government’s actions that we take our responsibilities very seriously. With the funding that we have committed not just in and around Syria but in Europe, and with the additional £10 million fund that the Department for International Development is operating to ensure that children in transit who are in need of help, counselling or other support can receive it, that is precisely what we will do.

David Nuttall Portrait Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)
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Has the Minister had any discussions with his French counterpart to find out the reasons why the migrants in Calais did not claim asylum in the other safe countries that they travelled through before arriving in France?

James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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The reasons are often quite complex. The Chair of the Home Affairs Committee highlighted the role of people traffickers and smugglers, as well as those who sell false hope through a whole host of different means and networks, including social media. Other reasons may relate to the existing diaspora communities and the whole issue of language. Through the actions on which we are supporting the French Government, and indeed those that we are taking ourselves in the camps, we are giving the clear message that people should claim asylum in France.