Written question asked by Jim Cousins (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 June 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will establish a resettlement system for citizens of Iraq in the United Kingdom in process of applying for asylum or leave to remain.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a resettlement system for citizens of Iraq in the United Kingdom in process of applying for asylum or leave to remain. [116252] Beverley Hughes: We consulting united Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organisation for Migration, refugee sector non- gobernmental organisations and Iraqi communities in the United Kingdom on the type of programmes that will be appropriate for an Iraqi Assisted Voluntary Return Programme. No decisions regarding the exact nature of the resettlement system that might be offered has yet been made. We are working actively to ensure that Iraqis can be assisted to return voluntarily to their homeland as soon as practicable. Many Iraqis in the United Kingdom have skills, which will be of value to the reconstruction of Iraq. The government is committed to helping clear the way for them to do so.

Secondary information