HC Deb 12 May 1999 vol 331 cc155-6W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to respond to UNHCR's request that national Governments keep formalities to a minimum to speed up the evacuation of refugees from Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [83802]

Mr. Straw

The Government's priority, along with that of our European partners, remains to ensure that as far as possible, Kosovan refugees are cared for within the region so that they can return home when it is safe for them to do so. This is the refugees' overwhelming wish. We have also long made it clear that the United Kingdom stands ready to receive some thousands of refugees from the region on humanitarian grounds and on the basis of criteria agreed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We received the first formal request from the UNHCR to take refugees on 20 April and agreed it within one hour. I announced in the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir N. Fowler) on 5 May 1999,Official Report, columns 943–52, that we will be building up to taking around 1,000 refugees a week in the next few weeks.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to assist local authorities and other organisations with the funding of services required in relation to the evacuation of refugees from Kosovo to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [83801]

Mr. Straw

I made clear in the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir N. Fowler) on 5 May 1999,Official Report, columns 943-52, that local

Description Start Date (Contract award date) Company Reductions in payment
IND Casework Programme Spring 1996 Siemens Business Services Yes
Medway Secure Training Centre (STC) 3 March 1997 Rebound ECD Limited Yes
Rainsbrook STC 3July 1998 Rebound ECD Limited No
Hassockfield STC 12 November 1998 Medomsley Training Services Ltd No
Data Capture (United Kingdom Passport Agency July 1997 Siemens Business Service Yes

authorities and the voluntary sector will be reimbursed the additional costs that they incur. The details of that reimbursement are currently being worked out.

Mrs. Golding

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for the reception and care of unaccompanied refugee children from Kosovo who arrive in the UK. [83588]

Mr. Straw

Unaccompanied minor children are being looked after in the region as far as possible to facilitate family reunion.

Children who have become separated from their parents have arrived in the United Kingdom in the company of a guardian or close adult relative. Every assistance is given in these cases to trace family in the United Kingdom, and this has been successful in at least one case.