Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that unaccompanied child asylum seekers in France eligible to care in the UK under the (a) Dubs Amendment and (b) Dublin III Regulations are aware of their rights.

In 2016, we transferred over 900 unaccompanied children to the UK from Europe, including more than 750 from France. However, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French authorities. It is vital that children claim asylum in France rather than risking their lives by attempting to enter the UK illegally. That is the fastest route to safety.

The Dublin III Regulation allows unaccompanied children who have claimed asylum in another Member State to be transferred here to have their asylum claim assessed if they have a qualifying family member legally present in the UK and transfer would be in their best interests. We continue to work closely with France, other EU Member States and partners to ensure the timely and efficient operation of the Dublin III Regulation, including through regular dialogue and meetings.

We are fully committed to delivering our commitment to transfer the specified number of 480 children under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016. As set out in the published guidance, it is for France to refer children to the UK. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States, including France, have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Over 200 children are already here, including transfers this year from France. More eligible children will be transferred from Europe under the scheme in due course.