MP: Government must resolve housing issue
In FCDO questions in the House of Commons this afternoon, John Baron MP raised the British Council contractors. These contractors worked with Britain in Afghanistan, and have been in hiding from the Taliban since August 2021. They are eligible to come to Britain via the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, but progress has been very slow. John is chair of the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group.
In the Chamber, John asked,
“Last week the Government made the right decision to lift the quota for Pathway III, allowing all eligible British Council contractors to come to the UK. However, many contractors and their families are waiting in Pakistan for clearance to come to the UK: accommodation has yet to be arranged.”
“May I urge the Government to resolve this housing issue, given the Pakistani authorities’ threat to return the contractors to Afghanistan next month? This would be a disaster, and their personal safety is paramount.”
The Minister, Leo Docherty MP responded that the Government is working at pace through the High Commission in Pakistan, and that MPs will be kept updated.
Afterwards, John said,
“I am pleased to hear from the Minister that the Government is working ‘at pace’ on this housing issue, but there is little time to lose. It took too long, and required a large effort, to get many of the contractors to the relative safety of Pakistan, and it would be a disaster if they were sent back to Afghanistan. Let us hope a rapid solution can be found.”
