CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

HOME AFFAIRS – SYRIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS - 29 January 2014

HOME AFFAIRS – SYRIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS - 29 January 2014

[Mr Speaker: Order. A large number of colleagues wish to participate, but there is also a debate on this very subject to follow. Therefore, my normal practice of calling everybody might not apply today. What is required is brevity, and I think that the textbook on succinctness can be written by Dr Julian Lewis.]

Dr Julian Lewis: I was afraid that you would choose me for that, Mr Speaker.

Like hon. Members on both sides of the Chamber, I strongly endorse any help that can be given to vulnerable victims of war, but with regard to the second category that the Home Secretary mentioned – people who have received political asylum – can she assure the House that they are being properly screened so that we do not store up trouble for the future for our security services, as we are already worried about jihadists of our own going out to Syria and coming back?

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May): I can assure my hon. Friend that all the appropriate checks are made.]