Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Thursday, 31 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 April 2011. It was answered by David Lidington (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

North Africa: Refugees

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he had discussions with his Italian counterpart on the (a) physical condition and (b) human rights of refugees from North Africa who have arrived in Lampedusa in the last three months; and whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on (i) resettlement capacity, (ii) resettlement programmes, (iii) assessment of needs, (iv) resources for the processing of applications and resettlement needs, (v) resources for (A) children, (B) women at risk of physical, sexual or psychological violence or exploitation, (C) survivors of torture, (D) people with urgent medical or other special needs and (E) disabled people and (vi) integration support and services for resettlement in respect of refugees from North Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 5 April 2011]: The Council of the European Union is considering carefully the impact of current events in North Africa on migratory flows. At its meeting on 11 March, the European Council asked the Justice and Home Affairs Council to consider how to develop capacities to manage migration and refugee flows. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Home Department will report the outcome of meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council and of the European Council to the House as usual, including progress on this issue. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not had any specific bilateral discussions with his Italian counterpart on this issue.

Secondary information