§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many asylum applications made before 1 January 2000 have yet to receive a substantive reply. [HL2599]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe requested information is unavailable and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records. The total number of cases awaiting an initial decision fell to 24,500 by the end of December 2003, the lowest level for more than a decade and continuing to fall.
Information on the number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next publication will be available from 25 May 2004 and will cover the first quarter of 2004 (January to March).
§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have statistical evidence to demonstrate whether or not in-country asylum applications are less likely to have a genuine claim to asylum than those who apply at the point of entry. [HL2729]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe table shows the percentage of grants of asylum made on initial 67WA decisions, for port and in-country applications for the past five years. The table provides no evidence to suggest that the proportion granted refugee status is significantly different between port and in-country cases. Cases are decided on their individual merits not
Cases(1) (2) recognised as refugees and granted asylum, excluding dependants, 1999 to 2003 Principal applicants Port cases initial decisions Port cases Grants of asylum Per cent Port cases Grants of asylum In country cases initial decisions In country cases Grants of asylum Per cent in country cases Grants of asylum 1999 17,335 3,565 21 16,385 4,250 26 2000 52,775 5,475 10 56,435 4,900 9 2001 39,475 3,805 10 81,470 7,640 9 2002(R) (P) 27,645 2,910 11 55,895 5,365 10 2003(p) 19,275 920 5 45,330 2,960 7 (1) Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*'= 1 or 2. (2) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. (p) Provisional figures. (R) Revised figures. Information on asylum applications and initial decisions is published quarterly. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2004 will be available on 25 May 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.