Written question asked by Patrick Mercer (Conservative) on Wednesday, 29 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 February 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what actions are being taken by the Government in conjunction with European partners to deal with the likely increase of Iraqi refugees in Iran in the event of military action in the region.

Answer: Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what actions are being taken by the Government in conjunction with European partners to deal with the likely increase of Iraqi refugees in Iran in the event of military action in the region. [95167] Clare Short: We and many of our European partners are in close contact with relevant specialist international agencies about the potential for an increased flow of refugees into Iran and other neighbouring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, receives annual core funding from my Department partly to enable them to prepare for such eventualities. They are drawing up appropriate contingency plans, including the prepositioning of food and other basic supplies.

Secondary information