Topical Questions

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons on 1st April 2019.

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Photo of Caroline Nokes Caroline Nokes The Minister for Immigration

My hon. Friend is right to emphasise that it absolutely is people traffickers and organised crime gangs who are encouraging people to make this extremely perilous crossing. We deploy aerial surveillance, but the House will appreciate that I will not be able to discuss our covert assets in detail. He is right to emphasise that we are working with a number of member states, including France, to facilitate returns. About 20 individuals who have crossed via small boat have been returned to date, and further returns are in progress.