Lady Hermon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lady Hermon on 2016-01-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Home Affairs on the resettlement in Belfast of those Syrian refugees who arrived in Northern Ireland before Christmas 2015; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

I have participated in general discussions with colleagues, including the Home Secretary, on the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the UK. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State sits on the Government’s Syrian Refugee Relocation Ministerial Group.

The Home Office are working with local authorities and the Devolved Administrations, including the Northern Ireland Executive, to put in place the necessary arrangements for the resettlement of Syrian refugees. My Department is in regular contact with the Home Office about these matters.