Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Visa Scheme for Palestinian Refugees

Monday 15 April 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patrick Grady questioned the Home Office about the potential merits of introducing a visa scheme for Palestinian refugees, citing concerns over the rationality of current policies.
  • The Home Office responded that they are not considering a separate visa route for Palestinians, emphasizing the need to approach humanitarian situations comprehensively.
  • Alison Thewliss highlighted a petition with 100,000 signatures advocating for a Palestinian family visa scheme, addressing the difficulties Gazans face in obtaining visas and crossing to Egypt.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP inquires about the merits of a visa scheme for Palestinian refugees, specifically those in Gaza.

Question

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a visa scheme for Palestinian refugees. Most people find that to apply to most decisions made by the Home Office. Is it not also irrational and unreasonable for the UK to offer humanitarian visas to people from Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan but not those fleeing Gaza?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We are all concerned about the plight of those living in Gaza. Currently, we are not considering establishing a separate route for Palestinians. In any humanitarian situation, the UK must consider its resettlement approach in the round, rather than on a crisis-by-crisis basis.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific merit assessment and comparison with other countries' visa policies

How: Not Considering Establishing A Separate Route For Palestinians

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Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP questions the Home Office's decision to require biometric data from people in Gaza, noting that it is irrational and unreasonable.

Question

It is not surprising that the upper tribunal found the decision to require biometric data for people from Gaza to be 'irrational and unreasonable'. Is it not also irrational and unreasonable for the UK to offer humanitarian visas to people caught up in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan but not those fleeing Gaza?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I will not give a running commentary on ongoing litigation. We are supporting British nationals with dependants in Gaza, working in collaboration with Foreign Office colleagues. The dynamic is different due to the right of return and other factors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether it is irrational and unreasonable to deny humanitarian visas to Gazans

How: Not Give A Running Commentary On Ongoing Litigation

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Q3 Alison Thewliss SNP
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP highlights the petition 'Gaza Families Reunited' with over 100,000 signatures requesting a visa scheme. She points out the Catch-22 situation faced by Gazans.

Question

Gaza Families Reunited's petition for a Palestinian family visa scheme has garnered 100,000 signatures. Gazans face a cruel and irrational situation: they cannot cross to Egypt due to lack of visas, biometrics not registered, unable to get to a visa application centre in Egypt. The Government can waive the requirement but refuses. Why?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Security of the system is imperative, and we must act according to requirements. I will not comment on ongoing litigation but will continue working with Foreign Office colleagues. Elements of the peace process are at play in relation to these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Why the government won't waive biometric requirement for Gazans

How: Not Comment On Ongoing Litigation

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