Penarth MP Stephen Doughty has questioned Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the evacuation of refugees in the aftermath of the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan.

After nearly two decades of war, the world was shocked this week by horrifying scenes of Afghans swarming the tarmac of Kabul's airport, as many attempted to escape a country that has now been overrun by the Taliban.

U.S. defence officials expected Kabul to fall in 90 days - it took less than 10.

With the U.S. withdrawing its operation, the Taliban has been gaining more territory on a daily basis. They have now effectively taken over the country and will enforce a version of Islamic Law.

The UK Parliament has been recalled from its summer recess to debate the situation in Afghanistan.

MPs had not been due to return until 6 September, but the decision follows pressure from opposition parties and critics of government policy.

The local MP asked the Prime Minister how the government would ensure effective communication between the UK and Afghanistan to evacuate those in danger.

"I pay tribute to our ambassador and the diplomatic team in Afghanistan and our forces on the ground, they have been evacuating people in extraordinary circumstances," said Mr Doughty.

"But one of the consequences of the rapidity of the collapse of Kabul is that many people have been left trapped, unable to access the airport, unable to evacuate.

"Many of those who should be coming to this country served us bravely in that country and many women are particularly at risk.

"Many of us across this house will have experienced chaos in the last 24-48 hours in communicating information through to the ground to get some of those people out of the country.

"So can the Prime Minister give us some assurances about how we can get that information through so that we can get those brave people out of there, including many at risk of their lives right now in Kabul?"

The UK government says it will resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees over the coming years, with 5,000 refugees eligible in the first year. Women, girls and others in need will have priority.

But opposition parties say this does not go far enough.

In response to the Cardiff South and Penarth MP, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said evacuations were being done "in the most expeditious fashion that we can".

"This is exactly the right question. I spoke this morning to ambassadors, Laurie Bristow, as well as to Brigadier Dan Blanford, who's handling the evacuation," said Mr Johnson.

"The situation has stabilised since the weekend, but it remains precarious and the UK officials on the ground are doing everything they can to expedite the movement of people of those that need to come out, whether from the Arab scheme or the eligible persons to get from Kabul to the airport.

"At the moment it will be fair to say that the Taliban are allowing that evacuation to go ahead.

"But the most important, the most important thing, Mr. Speaker, is that we get this done in as expeditious a fashion as we can and that's what we are doing.

"May I say that I'm grateful, not just to the UK forces who now are helping to stabilise the airport, but also to the US forces as well."

During a press conference on Tuesday the Taliban said Afghanistan would not be used as a base for terror and the rights of women in Afghanistan would be respected "within the framework of Islamic law".

There are concerns from rights groups that women's freedoms could be eroded under the Taliban, which introduced or supported punishments in line with their strict interpretation of Islam's legal system, Sharia law, when they controlled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001.

The parliamentary debate is expected to continue until 5pm today.