Moved by
Lord Paddick
52: After Clause 37, insert the following new Clause—
“Refugees and people smuggling
(1) Within three months of this Act being passed, and every three months thereafter, the Secretary of State must lay a statement before Parliament regarding discussions with the governments and authorities of other countries, including those bordering the English Channel and the North Sea, concerning the steps taken to—
(a) increase security cooperation between the United Kingdom and one or more third States to prevent criminal activity in assisting or purporting to assist refugees in travelling to the United Kingdom,
(b) increase domestic and international rates of prosecution for those engaged in assisting or purporting to assist refugees in travelling to the United Kingdom,
(c) prevent or deter a person from—
(i) charging refugees for assistance or purported assistance in travelling to or entering the United Kingdom;
(ii) endangering the safety of refugees travelling to the United Kingdom.
(2) The statement must focus on steps other than the provisions of this Act.”
Member’s explanatory statement
This amendment requires the Secretary of State to update Parliament on the actions that are being taken to tackle exploitation of refugees by people smugglers.