Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support is being given to the proposal to establish a multi-purpose centre for migrants in Niger as set out in the Communication from the European Commission <i>A European Agenda on Migration</i>.

The UK is on the Steering Committee of the Middle East Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) and in the implementing consortia for the Horn of Africa and North Africa RDPPs. We have committed £400,000 to the Middle East RDPP and have offered support to the Horn of Africa and North Africa programmes, the precise nature of which will be dictated by the needs of individual projects once these are developed. In the first instance we have offered to fund an expert to help the lead countries to scope and develop each programme.

The European Commission has proposed that a multi-purpose centre will be set up in Niger by the end of the year, as part of broader efforts to address migratory pressures on the EU at a key location on the western route to Libya. The centre will combine the provision of information on the risks of illegal migration and regional alternatives, support for those in need of protection, and assistance for those deciding to return home. The UK has joined an informal working group to make progress on this proposal, which remains at an early stage of development. Once more detail is known, we will consider what support we might offer.