That's a baffle tube, which sits above the sump and drain plug. Petrol can flow into the base of it from the rest of the tank - and the two petrol pick up pipes sit inside the tube
If you have the tank out, you could check that side of things by pouring some petrol down inside the tube using the reserve/pickup unit opening, and checking that it flows out into the tank from the bottom of the tube ( with the drain plug back in ). That would imply no total blockage there.
If you have one of those extending magnetic pick up tools, then see what that picks up from the bottom of the tube, and around the outside of it.
If your drain plug is brass, check it for reddish/pink colouration before you re-use it. I didn't and it sheared off on tightening possibly due to weakening by the leaching away of the zinc content over the years.
If there is no blockage in the tank itself, the next suspect would be the reserve/ pickup unit. The pickup pipes can get blocked or develop splits - and the head of the unit can get corroded and clogged up.
One thing I found on my 405 - is that the fuel line had been squashed somewhat, by someone using a jack just forward of the left rear wheel arch. The line crosses the bottom of the chassis here. Perhaps it is the same on a 406.
While the fuel line is drained it might be worth cleaning out the fuel tap in the engine bay. The gasket for the tap is easily available, as the same type is used on Massey Ferguson tractors.
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