Chris Chope speaking in the English Channel Small Boats Incident Debate

Small Boats

Chris Chope speaking in the English Channel Small Boats Incident Debate

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Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch

At the end of her statement, my right hon. Friend said that crossing the channel in a small boat was illegal. Would that it were, but it is not illegal, as was confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service on 8 July. What would make it illegal would be passing into law my Illegal Immigration (Offences) Bill, whose Second Reading is due to take place tomorrow. I should be grateful if my right hon. Friend would agree to meet me to discuss the content of that Bill and how it will contribute to what we all want to see, which is an end to this vile trade.

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Priti Patel The Secretary of State for the Home Department

I certainly think that more needs to be done, so Ministers would be happy to meet my hon. Friend.

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