If the 40,000 refugees who have passed through the Sangatte camp since 1999, only 120 requested asylum in France. Virtually all want to go to Britain. Some hope to move on to the US, Canada or Australia.

Although France prides itself on being "the country of human rights", its language and bureaucracy discourage would-be immigrants. Most of the refugees speak some English and have family or friends living in Britain.

Numbers : With 80,000 applicants last year, Britain is the number one destination in Europe for asylum-seekers. France received only 40,000 applications, and 90 per cent are eventually refused after a wait of up to 18 months.

Freedom : British law does not allow identity checks unless a crime is suspected. France has a system of national ID cards and police may demand to see papers at random.

Survival basics : If an asylum-seeker in Britain does not receive a response within six months, he will be authorised to work. In France, asylum-seekers have been forbidden from working since 1991 and penalties for using illegal labour are high.

In Britain, the government-subsidised Migrant Help Line provides food and shelter for new arrivals for the first week, then refers them to homes for asylum-seekers. At the end of last year there were only 6,300 beds available in French "welcome centres" and 85 per cent of asylum-seekers had to fend for themselves.

Asylum-seekers in Britain receive an £11 sterling allowance per week, along with coupons for food and clothing. Those who stay with friends or relatives are given "support packages". In France, applicants for asylum are eligible for a £220 monthly "insertion allocation".

Foreign policy : Kurdish immigrants, who form the largest contingent at Sangatte, believe Britain's hardline policy against Saddam Hussein makes it a more hospitable place for those who flee him. They perceive France to be more friendly to the Iraqi regime.