Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of children from Gaza who will be brought to each devolved nation in the UK for specialist medical treatment.

As part of the Gaza medical operation, two groups of children and their immediate families have arrived in the United Kingdom. We are unable to confirm at this point how long the process will run for, nor the numbers of children who will be evacuated.

Patients and their immediate family members will have leave to stay in the UK for up to two years, irrespective of how long their treatment lasts, with access to the National Health Service, housing, and other services. Should these individuals wish to remain in the UK after they have arrived beyond the initial 24 months, they can apply for further permission to stay under existing routes within the Immigration Rules.

The Government is working closely with the local authorities in the areas where evacuees are likely to be hosted to make sure that those coming to the UK receive the help they need during their stay in the UK. We expect children will be treated in a small group of NHS trusts across the four nations of the UK.

These patients and their families have suffered an unimaginable ordeal and their privacy is paramount. For this reason, the Government will not be providing further details about their treatment or whereabouts to protect patient confidentiality and their personal safety.