MP's response to Iraqi asylum questions

Spurred on by this campaign, I wrote to the Honourable Hugh Bayley, MP, to ask for his opinion on the matter and whether he supported the campaign. He replied thus:

Thank you for your email dated 23 July regarding Iraqis who have assisted the British armed forces in Iraq.

Applications by asylum seekers are dealt with on an individual basis and there is a resettlement scheme. The majority of asylum claims from Iraq come from Iraqis already living in the UK, but people can present themselves as having worked for the United Kingdom and, providing their other circumstances mean they would qualify for refugee status, their application would be considered.

Yours sincerely

So he's not particularly bothered and appears satisfied with the present system. I then sent this reply:

Dear Mr Bayley,

Thank you for your reply of 27th July, responding to my letter about granting asylum for Iraqis who have worked for the British forces.

Given the security situation in Iraq, it simply is not practical for an Iraqi asylum seeker to make their way to the UK and present themselves for asylum when they get here.

The resettlement scheme you mention is, I believe, for long-term refugees languishing in refugee camps - not for people with a recent reason to flee their country.

Would you agree that the only way to offer effective protection to those Iraqi employees in need of asylum is to process their claims in Iraq? We have a clear and direct obligation to these people, and our existing asylum system simply is not set up for such cases.

Yours sincerely,