WRITTEN QUESTION P-1263/01 by Eva Klamt (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Attempts by non-EU nationals to gain illegal entry to the UK.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United Kingdom, fine, foreign national, illegal migration, road transport, transport company

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/207

The Commission notes that since 1998 the Council has not discussed the proposal. Its services will
examine what steps to take in the light of the current situation.

(1) OJ C 318, 25.11.1993.
(2) OJ C 209, 29.7.1994.

(2001/C 340 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1263/01

by Eva Klamt (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Attempts by non-EU nationals to gain illegal entry to the UK

German haulage contractors report that illegal immigrants, with the aid of people smugglers, endeavour to
board lorries bound for the UK at the borders of transit countries en route from Germany to the UK. The
hauliers claim that the French, Belgian and Netherlands authorities are aware of this situation but that
nothing is done. The UK authorities, on the other hand, search lorries specifically for illegal immigrants
and fine the haulage firms £2000 for each illegal immigrant discovered. This fine is also payable even if
the drivers or firms can prove that they have checked their vehicles. The persons apprehended have to be
taken back across the border and released, only to make another attempt at illegal entry immediately,
while the national border authorities look on.

Is the Commission aware of the situation described above and is it an accurate account?

Do the fines which haulage firms are required to pay the UK in respect of illegal immigrants affect the
operation of the internal market?

What measures will the Commission take in response to the lack of cooperation in preventing illegal
immigration on the part of the French, Belgian and Netherlands authorities, and to the fines imposed by
the UK?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2001)

The Commission is well aware of the situation that illegal immigrants, quite often with the aid of people
smugglers, attempt to board lorries bound for the United Kingdom in neighbouring Member States,
especially Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The tragedy of Dover where, in June 2000, 58 Chinese
nationals suffocated to death in the lorry in which they were clandestinely travelling, illustrated in a most
shocking way the complex problem to face. According to information available to the Commission,
Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have recently started technical discussions on
how to improve the prevention of illegal crossings across the Channel.

Regarding the question whether the existing british legislation on carrier(cid:146)s liability affects the operation of
the internal market, especially for haulage contractors, the Commission has already stated on previous
occasions that, in its view, this legislation does not lead to an infringement of Community law. In that
connection, the Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to the answers given by the
Commission to Written Questions P-4042/00 by Mrs Doyle (1) and E-1110/01 by Mr Konrad (2).

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 220.
(2) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 205.