The plight of migrants pouring into Europe has inspired the generosity of millions of Britons who have lived up to our nation’s long and proud tradition of helping those in genuine need. It is a tradition that means a great deal to me, the minister in charge of taking in Syrian refugees. I am a proud descendent of Jewish refugees who, generations ago, turned to Britain for sanctuary in their own hour of need.
My mother’s family fled the Tsarist pogroms of 19th-century Russia; my father’s ancestors were victims of the Spanish Inquisition. They came to Britain when they had nowhere else to go and I will be eternally grateful.
We want to bring the refugees here as quickly as possible. My first priority is