To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the length of time an individual accepted for the Gateway resettlement programme will wait before resettlement; and whether they will receive financial assistance from his Department between acceptance on to the programme and resettlement. (205908)

The length of time between acceptance by the UK Border Agency and resettlement can vary. Accepted refugees are moved to the UK in groups once a receiving local authority has agreed to accommodate them. Therefore movement times vary according to the voluntary participation by each local authority.

Staff being considered for resettlement under the Gateway programme will be provided with financial assistance to allow them to support themselves during the screening process in a third country.