Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

(asked on 12th June 2015) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support migrants and asylum seekers who (a) are children, (b) are elderly, (c) have serious injuries and (d) have other specialist needs who are rescued during operations in the Mediterranean.


Answered by
James Brokenshire Portrait
James Brokenshire
This question was answered on 23rd June 2015

Initial medical triaging and assistance is carried out on board UK vessels deployed to the Mediterranean for search and rescue purposes. Migrants are then taken to a nearby port, as directed by the Italian authorities, where their needs can be more fully assessed and addressed by Italian authorities there.

The UK has regular discussions with other Member States about search and rescue in the Mediterranean.

Furthermore, the UK is also playing a leading role in pushing for comprehensive, long-term action through the EU and the UN to tackle the cause of illegal immigration and the organised trafficking gangs behind it, as well as increasing support and protection for those who need it North and East Africa. We are clear that the need to break the link between getting on a boat and achieving residence in Europe.

Reticulating Splines