§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use the former RAF base at Sopley to accommodate Kosovan refugees; and if he will make a statement. [81690]
§ Mr. StrawNone at this stage. The Government's priority remains to ensure that as far as possible, Kosovan refugees receive protection in the region so that they can return easily to their homes when it is safe for them to do so. However, I announced on 20 April that we have agreed to a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to accept a group of vulnerable refugees, mainly women and children, from Macedonia.
Reception centres will be staffed by the Refugee Council and will provide temporary accommodation for refugees prior to their moving into more permanent accommodation. The Refugee Council is liaising closely with local authorities through the Local Government Association. They are currently looking at accommodation throughout the United Kingdom that could be used for reception centres.