Rhodes Wildfires: Repatriation of Holidaymakers

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Tuesday 25th July 2023 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, I quite understand the point made by the noble Baroness, Lady Smith of Basildon. The situation in Rhodes is stabilising at the moment. The vast majority of the island is not affected by these fires and, as I said, our travel advice is kept under constant review. I understand the situation for people taking valued holidays in difficult times; they really want some certainty. I will take that back.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, I will inform the House of the current FCDO guidance. Its website says:

“If you are planning to travel to any areas affected by wildfires, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel”.


Is it safe, in the coming days and weeks, for people from the UK to travel to the areas affected by wildfires?

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, as I said, the situation is stabilising—I had a call with the department earlier this morning—and the majority of the island is not affected by these fires. As I have reiterated time and again, the travel advice is kept under constant review.