HC Deb 30 November 1998 vol 321 cc537-8
20. Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend, East)

How many persons are currently awaiting decisions on political asylum; and what was the total in each of the previous three years. [61110]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mike O'Brien)

The number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision at the end of October 1998 was 59,000. The corresponding figures at the end of December in 1995, 1996 and 1997 were 70,000, 57,000 and 52,000 respectively. There are also cases in the appeals backlog, although that is being reduced because we have employed more adjudicators.

Sir Teddy Taylor

This is obviously a serious and worsening problem which makes it more difficult for genuine cases to be dealt with. Is the Minister aware that, for some of the old hands in the Commons, it is depressing to hear Ministers trying to blame the problem on the previous Government? Would it not be infinitely better, when dealing with the real problems of real people, to try to find a way of resolving them by putting forward sensible proposals, instead of going in for party politics—particularly bearing in mind the nightmares that many genuine applicants suffer?

Mr. O'Brien

The previous Government had 18 years to try to sort out all these problems. They failed to do so. It is right that this Government should point out that we have inherited a shambles in the asylum system. Nevertheless, it is now our responsibility to sort it out. We propose to introduce legislation that will bring firmer, faster and fairer controls to our immigration system. Up to now, the system has not worked effectively. After we pass the legislation during this parliamentary Session, we will ensure that we have a system that works far better than that inherited from the Opposition.

Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)

I know that my hon. Friend is doing everything possible to try to eliminate the appalling backlog of cases that we inherited but—recognising the problems that the backlog causes to the individuals and, in many cases, to the families—can he give any indication of when he believes he will get rid of the terrible legacy of the last Tory Government?

Mr. O'Brien

We are proceeding to deal with the cases in the backlog. Many of them are being decided as quickly as possible. We are introducing new working methods during the period up to the end of January, which will help to make much more efficient the making of decisions in relation to the asylum backlog. We are also dealing with a number of cases that date back to 1993 and 1995, which we have inherited. We intend to proceed with dealing with those cases as quickly as we possibly can.