Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to facilitate the departure from Afghanistan of UK citizens and Afghan nationals eligible for relocation to the UK on international flights currently being allowed to depart from Kabul Airport.

We worked tirelessly during Operation Pitting to evacuate safely the overwhelming majority of UK nationals and eligible Afghan staff. We are continuing to explore all routes with neighbouring countries to support any remaining British nationals to return home, and Afghans to come to the UK, where the UK is their most appropriate destination. The former Foreign Secretary's visit to Pakistan and Qatar and Lord Ahmad's visit to Tajikistan focussed on regional diplomacy and secured cooperation to support Britons and their immediate families. 4 Rapid Deployment Teams consisting of 19 staff have been deployed to countries neighbouring Afghanistan and Qatar to ensure safe onward passage to the UK.