Oral Answers to Questions

Giles Watling Excerpts

Tuesday 30th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[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]

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.

[Giles Watling]

I have been saying for some time in this place, and many other places, that a combined effort between French and English forces would be very useful on the ground in France to stop the boats from even getting to the beaches in the first place. We have the technology and we can destroy the boats; I do not see why we do not do that. My right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) and I wish to visit Calais to meet the mayor to discuss that idea. Will my right hon. Friend join us?

[Mr Mitchell]

That is an unbelievably tempting invitation from my hon. Friend. Recently, we have seen a 120% increase in French troops on the ground and a 36% reduction in the number of migrants coming across compared with last year, so French troops on the ground are delivering what is required, at least in part.