§ 51. Mr. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the principles he applies when considering applications to remain in the United Kingdom from persons who have continuously been in the United Kingdom for at least 10 years and against whom no deportation order has been made but whose leave to remain has expired.
§ Mr. RentonWe have recently reviewed our policy on the exercise of discretion to grant leave to remain after lengthy residence in the United Kingdom. Except where the grant of leave would not be in the public interest, a case in which continuous residence exceeds 10 years will be considered on its merits for the grant of indefinite leave to remain. Among the factors to be taken into account are the strength of ties with the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the total length of continuous residence and the proportion of it which has been lawful. In considering possible deportation we have regard to the matters set out in paragraphs 156–159 of the Immigration Rules (HC 169), a copy of which is in the Library.