UN Syrian Refugees Programme Debate

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Department: Home Office

UN Syrian Refugees Programme

Pete Wishart Excerpts
Monday 20th January 2014

(10 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Harper Portrait Mr Harper
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I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend for drawing attention to the work of that excellent organisation in her constituency. We are working with various organisations, including partner organisations, but the Secretary of State for International Development is present and will have heard the details about this charity. I am sure that she will discuss with my right hon. Friend whether we can do more to support its work in helping people in the region.

Pete Wishart Portrait Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP)
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Like most people in Scotland, I am appalled that this Government, unlike Governments in other small European nations, will not take refugee children. I know that they are terrified of UKIP, but even Nigel Farage recognises that there is a difference between a refugee and an immigrant. Why can the Minister not recognise that as well?

Mark Harper Portrait Mr Harper
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The hon. Gentleman seems to be obsessed in a way that we are not. [Laughter.] I have made very clear what our policy is when it comes to assisting the largest possible number of people in the region, and I think that that is the right approach. It enables us to help hundreds of thousands of people by providing water, medical resources and food. We are supporting the neighbouring countries and helping them to do the right thing, and I think that we can be very proud of that support.