Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Overseas Territories: Covid-19 Support

Monday 21 September 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department provided logistical and medical support to overseas territories during the covid-19 pandemic.
  • The criteria for Afghan interpreters to relocate to the UK were expanded to include those who resigned on or after 1 May 2006 with 18 months or more service.
  • Interpreters who meet the new criteria can relocate to the UK with their families to build a new life.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Julie Marson
NHS Defence
Context

The question arises from the ongoing challenges faced by UK's overseas territories due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including logistical and medical support needs.

Question

What support has his Department provided to the overseas territories during the covid-19 pandemic?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Since the start of the pandemic, Defence has provided a range of support to Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, Ascension, Saint Helena and our overseas territories in the Caribbean. HMS Medway and RFA Argus remain in theatre and are standing by to provide logistical and medical support, whether in relation to covid-19 or to providing disaster relief during the hurricane season.

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Q2 Julie Marson
Immigration Veterans
Context

The question pertains to the government's progress in fulfilling its promises regarding the relocation and support for Afghan interpreters who have assisted British armed forces.

Question

Afghan interpreters have provided an invaluable service to our armed forces, saving the lives of many British soldiers. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the Government's progress on their commitments to the Afghan interpreters?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The Home Secretary and I announced at the weekend that the criteria for interpreters to relocate to the UK will be expanded to include those who resigned on or after 1 May 2006 with 18 months or more service on the frontline in Helmand, so that more may come with their families to build a new life in the UK. In addition, the Home Secretary and I committed to look even further at those criteria, and to look at where people suffer intimidation, to see whether those thresholds are in the right place as the peace deal progresses in Afghanistan.

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