Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Afghanistan: FCDO Responses to Members

09 September 2021 · 18 other contributors

Opened by James Cleverly Con Braintree

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

James Cleverly raised concerns about afghanistan: fcdo responses to members in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The UK conducted an evacuation operation from Afghanistan between August 15th and 29th, 2021
  • Over 15,000 people were successfully evacuated during this period
  • The evacuation included more than 8,000 British nationals and close to 5,000 Afghans who served Britain along with their dependents

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

James Cleverly

Through the collaborative efforts across government and the armed forces, a significant evacuation operation was conducted between August 15th and 29th, successfully evacuating over 15,000 people from Afghanistan. This included more than 8,000 British nationals, close to 5,000 Afghans who served Britain loyally along with their dependents, and approximately 500 high-risk individuals such as Chevening scholars, journalists, human rights defenders, women's rights campaigners, judges, etc. Post-evacuation phase, the government committed to supporting those who worked for the UK and processing remaining eligible cases through diplomatic channels. Since Operation Pitting concluded, more than 100 additional staff have been assigned to process over 200,000 emails received during this period. The minister reiterated that responses from Members of Parliament regarding their constituents would be provided within seven days by either the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or Ministry of Defence (MoD). A commitment was made for continuous work towards concluding this operation.

Other contributors (18)
  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore

    Question

    The shadow minister asked whether individuals rejected under the Afghan relocations policy would automatically be considered for other schemes, inquired about the publication of full resettlement criteria, questioned why briefings were given exclusively to Conservative MPs earlier than Labour MPs, and raised issues regarding misinformation provided by embassy staff during an explosion.

  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore

    Question

    The hon Gentleman says that we should only have one set of assessment criteria. That cannot be the case.

    Minister reply

    Two hundred thousand emails were received. Although it is absolutely the case that the people in Afghanistan—whether they be British nationals, Afghans who worked for us or at-risk Afghans—are a priority, it is just not possible to open, analyse and respond to 200,000 emails in the same timescale that we would normally be able to. The commitment made by my right hon Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister was discharged: every single MP received a response so that they knew that their email had been received and opened and would be worked on.

  • Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge

    Question

    The point about unity of command is one that I know my right hon Friend the Minister understands exceptionally well; it avoids confusion, risk and danger.

    Minister reply

    My hon Friend makes an incredibly important point about the speed with which these decisions are made, but we should remember that in all cases, and particularly in immigration cases dealt with by the Home Office, there is a degree of complexity that does not make speed easy. We should also remember that in many cases, because Afghans have had to flee their homes, cities and villages, they have incomplete, or in some cases are completely devoid of, documentation, which adds a degree of complexity.

  • Wayne David

    Question

    A week ago last Sunday, The Observer newspaper quoted a whistleblower who had access to Foreign Office email accounts. He said that MPs were not getting replies to the emails they had sent.

    Minister reply

    Two hundred thousand emails were received. Although it is absolutely the case that the people in Afghanistan—whether they be British nationals, Afghans who worked for us or at-risk Afghans—are a priority, it is just not possible to open, analyse and respond to 200,000 emails in the same timescale that we would normally be able to. The commitment made by my right hon Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister was discharged: every single MP received a response so that they knew that their email had been received and opened and would be worked on.

  • Bob Seely

    Question

    How confident is the Minister that the UK will be able to reach and get out of Afghanistan those Afghan folks who worked with us, not so much in Kabul but in Helmand and Kandahar provinces?

    Minister reply

    The ministerial team at the FCDO, including the Foreign Secretary, have been liaising extensively with both neighbouring countries and countries in the region to facilitate the evacuation of Afghans who have worked with us. It is not possible—it is not possible—to make cast iron guarantees. There is no functioning Government in Afghanistan, but we are liaising intensively with neighbouring countries to give the Afghans the very best chance of escaping the Taliban regime.

  • Alyn Smith SNP Edinburgh North and Leith

    Question

    Commends the minister for his statement, expressing frustration over previous statements made by the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. He highlights outstanding cases of individuals needing help from Afghanistan and requests a commitment to a review for future lessons.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the complexity of cases and the lack of functioning government in Afghanistan, commits to responding to all emails within seven days and reducing turnaround time from three weeks to two weeks.

  • Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire

    Question

    Raises concern for female Afghan MPs who are at risk due to the new regime in Afghanistan.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the danger faced by women and thanks her for highlighting it, mentions working with regional countries such as the UAE and Qatar.

  • Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme

    Question

    Critiques the government for breaking promises to help Afghan refugees and asks when substantive responses will be received.

    Minister reply

    Commits to responding within seven days for cases before August 30th, reduces turnaround time from three weeks to two weeks.

  • Flick Drummond Con North East Somerset

    Question

    Thanks the government for their work in extricating Afghans at risk and asks if they are providing opportunities here.

    Minister reply

    Commits to Operation Warm Welcome, which includes support for housing and future employment of refugees.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Question

    Asks the minister to coordinate with devolved Administrations in the UK and ensure funding is provided to councils.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the point about funding local government as part of Operation Warm Welcome.

  • Steve Double Con St Austell and Newquay

    Question

    Asks if some of the £286 million aid will be used to support refugees in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan.

    Minister reply

    Confirms working closely with neighbouring countries like Pakistan to ensure refugees are looked after.

  • Kevan Jones Lab North Durham

    Question

    Raises concerns about the response time for emails and contrasts UK's approach with other countries. Asks what happens next if Afghans move to Pakistan.

    Minister reply

    Thanks officials working hard, confirms engaging multilaterally and regionally to explore evacuation routes.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

    Question

    Asks about discussions with the UN regarding assistance for people leaving Afghanistan through land crossings or air corridors.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges engagement multilaterally and regionally, explores all routes including land crossings and air corridors.

  • Sam Tarry

    Question

    Describes cases of individuals in need, including women's rights activists with death warrants and veterans at risk. Asks about conversations and support being provided to countries like Pakistan to help evacuate these people.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the fears expressed by MPs regarding evacuees' safety and states that they are liaising closely with neighbouring countries to ensure a process is in place for evacuation.

  • Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford

    Question

    Expresses gratitude towards Foreign Office staff for helping evacuate hundreds of people, including those evacuated from the Baron hotel during an attack. Asks to ensure that Afghans are informed about their status.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the priority given to evacuating at-risk individuals and informs members they were kept updated on evacuations, with emphasis on facilitating safe passage for those in danger.

  • Martin Docherty

    Question

    Compares the speed of evacuation by France to that of the UK and criticises the delay in the UK's response.

    Minister reply

    Defends the government’s actions, stating that the ARAP scheme was launched earlier in April and many thousands had already left Afghanistan prior to mid-August. Rejects criticism and emphasises the complexity of the evacuation.

  • Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich

    Question

    Inquires about the status of special cases submitted under the discretionary route for Afghans who supported UK objectives but do not meet ARAP criteria.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the complexity introduced by expanded offers to protect at-risk Afghans. States that FCDO remains central in triaging applications, with assessment time depending on case complexity.

Shadow Comment

Chris Bryant

The shadow minister highlighted concerns over the government's handling of evacuations from Afghanistan, emphasising that over 140 cases had not received adequate responses. He criticised the complexity of three separate departments processing applications and called for a single point of contact to streamline communication. Additionally, he questioned whether individuals rejected under the Afghan relocations policy would automatically be considered under other schemes, inquired about when full resettlement criteria would be published, and noted discrepancies in briefing availability between Conservative and Labour MPs. He also raised issues regarding misinformation given by embassy staff on the day of an explosion.

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