Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Elliot Colburn

Monday 18th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

10. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effectiveness of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

14. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effectiveness of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (James Heappey)]

The Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme has had more than 100,000 applications. Although I appreciation the desperation of many who apply, the reality is that staff numbers and even names of those who worked with us in Helmand are being shared, so it is hard to identify individual applicants. To that end—the entitlement is bound; we know who worked for us— last week, I engaged a number of non-governmental organisations and charities to help us find the people on the list of those who actually worked with us, so that we can bring them to the front of the queue and get them out as quickly as possible.