Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 February 2008. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 March 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Iraq: Resettlement

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government has provided air transport for Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence granted leave to enter the UK from the Middle East; and whether there are plans to provide such transport in the future from (a) Iraq and (b) third countries.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.No Iraqi citizens formerly employed by the Ministry of Defence have yet been granted indefinite leave to enter the UK from the Middle East under the criteria for the Locally Engaged Iraqi staff assistance scheme. Therefore the Government have not provided air transport to assist their movement to the UK.All formerly employed staff who are accepted for resettlement under the Gateway Protection Programme, will be provided with travel to the UK on commercial airlines from third countries in the Middle East.A small number of current staff have been made redundant since 7 August 2007 and have opted to seek indefinite leave to enter the UK. Assistance with transport and flights from Iraq to the UK will be provided for these staff and their dependants.

Secondary information