§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from members of the academic community in Greater Manchester with regard to students from Iran; what reply he is sending; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Raison[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1982, c. 395]: A petition dated 1 July signed by 34 members of the academic community in Greater Manchester and 350W received on 5 July requested that the British Government take urgent steps to grant refugee status to students from Iran much more readily than hitherto. I have sent the right hon. Member a copy of the reply, which points out that refugee recognition is defined in the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees and that the criteria for such recognition cannot be relaxed. Asylum, or permission to remain in the United Kingdom exceptionally outside the immigration rules, may however be granted if the circumstances of the individual warrant this.