Syria: Christian Refugees

Lord Wright of Richmond Excerpts

Wednesday 9th September 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Clinton-Davis (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Wright of Richmond (CB)]

My Lords—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con)]

My Lords, it is not necessary for the noble Lord, Lord Clinton-Davis, to sit down because it is the turn of the Labour Benches.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

As I said yesterday from this Dispatch Box, and as my noble friend the Leader of the House said, this country has a history of showing mercy and tolerance. Also underlying our policy is showing humanity towards any persecuted minority or people across the world. We continue to do so, and that applies no differently when dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis.

[Lord Wright of Richmond]

My Lords—

[Baroness Berridge]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

That is exactly what our current policy is.

[Lord Wright of Richmond]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that a large number of Syrians—Christian and others—are fleeing from the atrocities of ISIL but deciding to remain in Syria? I am told that it is estimated that the population of Damascus has increased by 100% in the past two years.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

The Government are aware of that, and that is why I should say to the noble Lord that part of the £1 billion that they have allocated is helping those refugees who are directly displaced within the borders of Syria itself.