Asylum Seekers: Democratic Republic of Congo

Earl of Sandwich Excerpts

Tuesday 17th May 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Browning]

I can assure my noble friend that in respect of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have no recent reports, from NGOs, the UNHCR or other such bodies, that remain to be investigated. Yet again, if there are internal reports that we should be made aware of, I would be interested to receive them because my understanding is that there is very thorough communication within the Democratic Republic of Congo and through our advice received in this country, and as yet I have seen no evidence of individual cases or trends that need to be looked at. I should add that a new report is coming forward this summer. It will be a year since we saw the last consolidated report, and it would be very helpful if that information was available to incorporate into the new report.

[The Earl of Sandwich]

Will the Home Office strengthen its links with the International Organisation for Migration, which has the responsibility for following up these people?

[Baroness Browning]

I am very happy to agree to that, and I will ask officials to look specifically at what the noble Earl has suggested.