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David Cameron 'open minded' on Syrian refugees, says No 10 David Cameron 'open minded' on Syrian refugees, says No 10
(about 3 hours later)
David Cameron is "open minded" about accepting Syrian refugees if a compelling case is made for them, Downing Street has said. David Cameron is "open minded" about the UK accepting Syrian refugees if a compelling case is made for resettling them, Downing Street has said.
It follows a move by Labour to force a vote on the issue, which could see Mr Cameron defeated if he opposes it.It follows a move by Labour to force a vote on the issue, which could see Mr Cameron defeated if he opposes it.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has also been pressing Mr Cameron to change his stance.Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has also been pressing Mr Cameron to change his stance.
A source close to Mr Clegg said: "Nick has been banging on about this in government for weeks."A source close to Mr Clegg said: "Nick has been banging on about this in government for weeks."
"He is pretty confident it will happen and soonish.""He is pretty confident it will happen and soonish."
The UNHCR - the United Nations refugee agency - is appealing for Western countries to accept 30,000 of those trapped in the region around Syria. The UNHCR - the United Nations refugee agency - is appealing for Western countries to resettle 30,000 of those trapped in the region around Syria.
Mr Cameron has said the UK had taken in more than 1,000 Syrian asylum seekers and was fulfilling its "moral obligations to the people of Syria".Mr Cameron has said the UK had taken in more than 1,000 Syrian asylum seekers and was fulfilling its "moral obligations to the people of Syria".
'Right decision'
He told MPs on Wednesday that the government was helping "very vulnerable children who are ill - including a child in a British hospital today".He told MPs on Wednesday that the government was helping "very vulnerable children who are ill - including a child in a British hospital today".
But he expressed doubts about what he called the UNHCR's "quota system" for Syrian refugees, which he said could result in some countries thinking they had fulfilled their obligation by taking "a few hundred people".But he expressed doubts about what he called the UNHCR's "quota system" for Syrian refugees, which he said could result in some countries thinking they had fulfilled their obligation by taking "a few hundred people".
A Downing Street source said the prime minister believed it was best to provide support for refugees in the region instead.A Downing Street source said the prime minister believed it was best to provide support for refugees in the region instead.
But, the source added, "if the facts change or someone makes a compelling case he would be prepared to review that".But, the source added, "if the facts change or someone makes a compelling case he would be prepared to review that".
MPs are due to vote on the issue on Wednesday amid signs Mr Cameron could face defeat were he to oppose the motion.MPs are due to vote on the issue on Wednesday amid signs Mr Cameron could face defeat were he to oppose the motion.
Labour has tabled a motion calling on the government to comply with the UNHCR refugee appeal. Labour has tabled a motion calling on the government to take part in the UNHCR refugee appeal.
The BBC's Chief Political Correspondent Norman Smith said a number of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs have indicated they would vote in favour of the Labour motion.The BBC's Chief Political Correspondent Norman Smith said a number of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs have indicated they would vote in favour of the Labour motion.
Search and rescue
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Britain was "ahead of almost all of our counterparts" in the money it gave to Syria to support refugee camps.
But he said he was "confident that the PM will make the right decision on this matter".
The news comes as Foreign Secretary William Hague announced that search-and-rescue equipment worth £700,000 is to be given to local councils in Syria.
Nine 25-man teams will be equipped under the plan, which includes the sending of radios, cutting gear, uniforms and protective gear such as helmets and goggles.
Mr Hague said the gift had been scrutinised to ensure sending it would not breach any of the UK's international obligations and the recipients have been "carefully selected to prevent equipment being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations".