Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy

Monday 15 May 2023 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministry of Defence continues to process ARAP applications rapidly, issuing over 12,200 eligibility decisions in the first four months of 2023.
  • MOD aims to process all outstanding initial ARAP applications by August.
  • Pakistani authorities are cooperating with the UK in implementing the ARAP scheme, and the UK consular section supports those awaiting transportation to the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab
Defence
Context

The adequacy of the timescales for processing applications to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme is being assessed.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the timescales for processing applications to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme?

Answer from James Heappey

The Ministry of Defence continues to process ARAP applications at pace, thanks to the recruitment of more caseworkers and improved systems and processes. In the first four months of 2023 we issued more than 12,200 eligibility decisions. We aim to process all outstanding initial applications by August 2023.

Answered
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Q2 Steve McCabe Lab
Immigration Defence
Context

A family trapped in Afghanistan is still waiting for their case to be processed, affecting the reputation of UK armed forces.

Question

I have written to the Minister about a family still trapped in Afghanistan whose case was being processed by the MOD but this affects our military's standing. Does the Minister recognise that the shambles over treating Afghan refugees is damaging the reputation of our military?

Answer from James Heappey

The ARAP scheme is being honoured and continues as a major line of effort by the MOD, processing hundreds of thousands of applications aimed at those who served alongside UK forces. The MOD is putting significant effort into delivering the evacuation of those who served with UK forces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Damage to military's reputation from treating Afghan refugees

How: Honouring Arap, Major Line Of Effort

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Q3 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Immigration Foreign Affairs Veterans
Context

People who served with UK armed forces in Afghanistan may face danger even when they cross into Pakistan without proper documentation.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend accept that people serving with UK forces are not out of danger even in Pakistan? If they enter illegally, they could be sent back. What pressure is being put on Pakistani authorities to ensure no one who served with British forces is repatriated?

Answer from James Heappey

The Pakistan Government have cooperated in helping us deliver ARAP. We are not encouraging illegal border crossing, and the consular section at our high commission in Islamabad supports those waiting for transportation to the UK. If specific cases of risk or pursuit arise, I am ready to take them up with the authorities through our high commission.

Answered
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