Question reference: S5O-00809
- Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 15 March 2017
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 22 March 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the UK Government regarding the Syrian refugee resettlement scheme.
Answer
I met the Immigration Minister, Robert Goodwill MP on 11 October 2016 to discuss the Syrian Resettlement Programme and other issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers. I also wrote jointly with the President of COSLA, Councillor David O'Neill to the Immigration Minister on 5 October 2016 about the issues of family reunion and travel documents for refugees arriving under the Programme.
The Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions were represented at official level on the Refugee Taskforce, and Scottish Government and Home Office officials continue to have regular contact in relation to the Syrian Resettlement Programme.
The Member will be pleased to know Scotland remains committed to welcoming Syrian refugees, and that 30 local authorities have now received refugees into their communities.