PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
TACKLING THE REFUGEE CRISIS (6 September 2015)

That this House notes with extreme concern the ongoing refugee crisis being witnessed in Europe and across the Mediterranean Sea; understands that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 350,000 migrants have attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea between January and August 2015; considers it a tragedy that over 2,600 refugees and migrants have died or gone missing whilst undertaking this perilous journey and that at least a further 1,000 have lost their lives along various other migration routes, including the Sahara Desert and South Asia's Bay of Bengal; further notes that far from being economic migrants looking to improve their circumstances, figures compiled by the United Nations show that 62 per cent of those who had reached Europe by boat this year were from Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan - countries ravaged by war and religious extremism; is aware that the number of those seeking refuge in Europe equates to less than 0.05 per cent of the continent's population and that, as the world's richest continent, much more could be done to address the unfolding tragedy; applauds what it considers to be the exceptional efforts of the German Federal Government which is preparing to take in 800,000 asylum seekers this year; recognises that a growing number of people across the country wish the UK Government to adopt a similarly proactive role; believes that the UK could comfortably provide sanctuary to many more asylum seekers due to the fact that UN figures show the number of refugees in the UK fell from 193,600 to 117,161 over the last four years; and calls on the Government to show decisive leadership to ensure the UK plays a full and active role in alleviating this escalating and tragic situation.

Sponsored by:
Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party)