Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their most recent assessment of the conditions for refugees and migrants (1) detained in Libya, and (2) prevented from crossing the Mediterranean; and what plans they have, if any, to improve those conditions.

The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the conditions for refugees and migrants in detention centres in Libya. These centres are the responsibility of the Libyan authorities, which is why we continue to urge the Libyan authorities to pursue alternatives to detention, and to put in place a better functioning migration system that respects human rights. Where possible, UK aid provides humanitarian support to vulnerable migrants and refugees held in the centres, through the provision of blankets, clothes and legal assistance. In addition, we are working with the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) to improve the conditions for migrants in detention centres.

These efforts form part of our approach to help protect migrants on route to and inside Libya. As part of our £75 million migration programme covering the whole route from West Africa via the Sahel to Libya, we have allocated up to £5 million towards humanitarian assistance and protection for migrants and refugees in Libya. The UK is also supporting assisted voluntary returns, helping to tackle people smuggling, and working intensively to support the political process to end the conflict in Libya.