Oral Answers to Questions

Tim Farron Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to support the Lebanese people since the explosion in that country on 4 August 2020.

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

What recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on restarting the resettlement of refugees from Lebanon.

[Royston Smith (Southampton, Itchen) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to support the Lebanese people since the explosion in that country on 4 August 2020.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Cleverly]

As I say, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have engaged at the highest levels with the Lebanese Government, and ensuring that there is political and economic stability, as well as security, is key. We support the Lebanese Government in many ways, including through the Lebanese armed forces, which recruit cross-faith and cross-community. Our diplomatic efforts go hand in hand with our humanitarian efforts. My right hon. Friend will understand that future designations under our autonomous Magnitsky sanctions regime are not something that we wish to speculate about at the Dispatch Box, but we will ensure that our support to the people of Lebanon, and Beirutis in particular, continues.

[Tim Farron]

Migrants are crossing the channel partly because of a lack of safe and legal routes. Refugee resettlement, including from Lebanon, is a safe and legal route, but the pandemic has understandably seen it suspended. Now is surely the time to reopen those safe and legal routes. Will the Minister take steps this week to assist the Lebanese Government in restoring safe routes to the UK for refugees?

[James Cleverly]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. In 2015, the then Prime Minister committed to help 20,000 vulnerable refugees. As of March this year, 19,768 had been taken in by the UK, in a typical act of generosity. As I say, future acceptances will be dependent on the covid situation, which we will keep under review.