Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) Steepholme, (2) Flatholme, (3) Canvey Island, (4) the Isle of Dogs, and, (5) Sark, as potential locations for asylum processing centres.

Illegal migration has been a complex issue for successive governments. For years people have risked their lives to enter our country illegally, like those crossing the Channel in dangerous small boats.

The Home Office will introduce a new system that is firm and fair, prosecuting criminals while protecting vulnerable individuals.

Officials have been looking at a whole host of measures other countries deploy to inform a plan for the UK and bring innovation into our system. As part of this they are consulting with stakeholders and ensuring those plans adhere to our Policy Assurance Framework, but no final proposals have been made and it would not be appropriate to comment on speculation.