Child Refugee Resettlement Debate

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Department: Home Office

Child Refugee Resettlement

Tom Pursglove Excerpts
Tuesday 10th May 2016

(8 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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That is precisely why we need further consultation with local government—to identify the pressures that will need to be satisfied. It is also why I have highlighted the different issues involved in these children rejoining a family, so that they can receive the support, love and care that they need from an established family group. As I have said, we need to look at this very carefully in the light of the best interests of the child.

Tom Pursglove Portrait Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)
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I believe strongly that Ministers have been right all the way through to say that we should not incentivise or encourage perilous sea journeys. It is clear that other countries in the region should be doing more, so what pressure are Ministers putting on those countries to do that—not least to stop criminal gangs and traffickers being able to paint this an opportunity?

James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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As my hon. Friend may know, we have established an organised immigration crime taskforce to strengthen our own knowledge, intelligence and action against the smugglers and people traffickers, working with Europol and at a European Union level to retain focus on confronting the smuggling networks. That is allowing us to work with other European countries to take firm action not just close to our shores, but further afield.