Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of Syrian refugees deported from Lebanon in the last year.

The UN and NGOs have reported an increase in operations by the Lebanese security forces to detain and deport Syrians in recent months. UNHCR have said that precise data is difficult to gather on exactly how many refugees are being deported from Lebanon. We agree with the UN's assessment that Syria is not safe for voluntary and dignified returns. We are engaging closely with partners and with the Government of Lebanon to emphasise the principle of non-refoulement, and that due process is followed to protect the rights of refugees.