At-risk Academics: UK Support

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall am 4:20 pm ar 12 Medi 2023.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sarah Dines Sarah Dines The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department 4:20, 12 Medi 2023

I agree with the hon. Lady that there is much we gain by way of academic research. Indeed, we enjoy the best not only of academia but of what the inquiring mind can bring to our institutions with a global feel. I agree with her wholeheartedly.

We thank Cara, similar organisations and the wider university sector, which create these opportunities and reach out to eligible individuals and groups. I also thank all those people who are here in Westminster Hall today. It is so nice to see the Public Gallery so very full. It includes Stephen Wordsworth, who is the director of Cara and who is here today with colleagues and friends. You are most welcome.

My right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East is also the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. As I alluded to earlier, he has said on a number of occasions that some states will continue to project threats to individuals even when those individuals are in the UK, having sought safety here. We will seek to identify and mitigate those threats wherever they exist. If threats should follow any academics to the United Kingdom, our world-leading intelligence and security agencies would take a proactive and robust approach to identify those threats and, where they exist, to provide protective security in whatever form is necessary.

There have been various interventions in the debate. It is not right for me to talk about specific cases, but I will ask the Immigration Minister to write to Jeremy Corbyn to address the points that he raised. I am grateful, as always, for the intervention by Jim Shannon. I think he has just left, but he always brings great experience and wisdom to these debates, and he works collaboratively across parties.