Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his French counterparts on recent reported violent incidents in migrant camps from where a number of attempted boat crossings to the UK have occurred.

I am aware of worrying recent incidents in migrant camps in France and extend my sympathies to the victims. I condemn these instances of violence which are often fuelled by criminal people-smuggling gangs responsible for small boat crossings. The Foreign Secretary and I, as well as Home Office colleagues, have regular contact with our French counterparts on a range of topics, including strengthening cooperation to combat these gangs, end dangerous crossings, and save lives.