Written question asked by David Anderson (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 June 2008. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Iraq: Entry Clearances

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider introducing visa issuing facilities at the UK consulate in Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.Our embassies in Amman and Beirut have been designated as the visa-issuing posts for Iraqi nationals (although visit visa applications may be lodged at any UK visa-issuing post around the world). Given the current security situation, there is no prospect of expanding the limited visa service currently available in Iraq in the foreseeable future. We will, however, continue to keep the matter under review as the security situation develops.

Secondary information