Homes for Ukraine: Visa Application Centres Debate

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Department: Home Office
Thursday 28th April 2022

(2 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Lord Harrington of Watford (Con)
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I agree entirely with the noble Lord. I have pressed the FCDO, which is responsible for our on-ground response there, to make sure that this work is done. I am also commissioning a particular piece of work to help unaccompanied children, because I feel it is very important.

Lord Cormack Portrait Lord Cormack (Con)
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My Lords, it is several weeks since I raised with my noble friend the letter sent by a group of rectors and vice-rectors of universities. Can he tell me how many academics have now been issued with visas under this scheme, which is sponsored at this end by Universities UK?

Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Lord Harrington of Watford (Con)
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I am afraid I cannot give my noble friend the answer I wanted to because, ironically, I was due to have a meeting with the Minister at the DfE at 11 am today to discuss that when this Urgent Question came about. However, I will make sure that he has a Written Answer to that question.