Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that Border Force have adequate vessels, personnel and capability to perform their role of intercepting and escorting illegal vessels attempting to enter the UK by water.

Border Security Command Maritime vessels engaged in Safety of Life at Sea operations are directed and coordinated by HM Coastguard in response to dangerous and illegal small boat crossings. Border Security Command Maritime and HM Coastguard continually review vessel availability, personnel and wider maritime capability to ensure an effective response that combines lifesaving activity with border security. Maritime resources are kept under constant review, and capability will be adjusted where operationally necessary to meet changing operational demands.