Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will expedite visa applications for Russian (a) human rights activists, (b) journalists and (c) civil society activists to visit the UK to enable them to hold discussions with Government representatives on the human rights situation in Russia; and whether it is his Department's policy to provide (i) temporary visas for sanctuary and (ii) asylum to Russian (A) human rights activists and (B) journalists that need to leave Russia for their safety.

All visa applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with UK immigration rules and guidance.

As a signatory to the Refugee Convention, the UK fully considers all asylum claims lodged in the UK. We do not consider asylum claims lodged outside UK territory and there is no provision in the Immigration Rules to allow someone to travel to the UK for temporary protection or to claim. We recognise the continuing concerns of key partners domestically and internationally around the human rights situation in Russia, and we remain committed to continuing engagement with them on this issue.