Oral Answers to Questions

George Howarth Excerpts

Monday 20th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

2. What steps she is taking to reduce dangerous journeys for unaccompanied child refugees with family in the UK.

[Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab)]

3. What steps she is taking to reduce dangerous journeys for unaccompanied child refugees with family in the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Brandon Lewis]

Obviously, there are several gateway schemes, including the Dublin regulation and the Dubs scheme. As I have just outlined, our own immigration rules also contain a route that people can use, and I would encourage them to look at that.

[Mr Howarth]

I welcome the Minister’s response, but the generosity and decency of the British people is such that they want the Government to do more. The £50 million raised by the BBC’s Children in Need charity last week is testament to that generosity of spirit. Will the Minister match the welcome rhetoric with deeds that will break the logjam of children waiting to be reunited with their families in the UK?

[Brandon Lewis]

The right hon. Gentleman is right that that is a good example of the great generosity across this country. We see it not only at events such as Friday night’s, but in the community sponsorship programmes and in communities wanting to do what they can to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world. We should all be proud of what we do as a country and of what the Government are doing to bring over children who need support and help. We are doing that, and our rules do allow for family reunion as well.