Afghanistan Policy

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Khalid Mahmood

Monday 13th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

I apologise to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr Mahmood) for not having called him earlier. In all honesty, I could not see him because of this screen. Let us hope they do not have to stay here very much longer.

[Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab)]

I have a constituent who landed just before the blockade. Her father-in-law has been shot. She has got to the border a number of times. I have communicated with the embassy and with the Pakistani authorities to try to let her come through, but to no avail because the Afghans will not let her through on a British passport. Can we get through the Foreign Office, or the Home Office, some sort of indication to help those people? If not, can we use other available embassies to guide and support those people who are there with British passports?

[Victoria Atkins]

I am loth to give travel advice at the Dispatch Box, for the reasons I have given. Perhaps I should take that up with the hon. Gentleman after the statement to see whether we can find ways through.