(Aldridge-Brownhills)
(Con): As my right hon. Friend has set out, tackling
this problem at source and dealing with the trafficking are
crucial. Will he outline what the British security services and
police are doing with European counterparts to track down, arrest
and prosecute people traffickers who wish to profit directly by
exploiting the situation?
The Minister for Immigration (Brandon Lewis): My
hon. Friend makes a good point. It is important that we continue
to give a clear message about the atrocious and completely
unacceptable behaviour of the disgraceful traffickers out there
who continue to ply their despicable trade. The European Migrant
Smuggling Centre was formed in February this year in response to
the increase in the number of irregular migrants. We continue to
work with our partners, along with Europol and our National Crime
Agency, to focus on and drive out that form of trafficking, as
well as the organised crime that thrives around it. There has to
be a clear message at every stage. That despicable behaviour is
not acceptable and it needs to end.
Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham, Edgbaston)
(Lab/Co-op): Europol has estimated that more than 10,000
unaccompanied child refugees have disappeared in Europe over the
past two years. What steps are the Government taking to address
that and to support our EU partners in improving protection for
unaccompanied children at risk of trafficking or exploitation?
The Minister for Immigration (Brandon Lewis):
There are two sides to this. First, we must ensure that we do not
create a pull factor that encourages more children and other
individuals to take that treacherous journey, which simply helps
the profits of the traffickers we all hope to see driven out. It
is also about working with our partners and the National Crime
Agency, which is working with Europol, to ensure that we track
down and catch the people who commit these awful crimes.
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