§ Lord Rentonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available the approximate cost of protecting from assault or other aggravation a person from overseas who has been given refugee status or residence in the United Kingdom for political reasons.
§ Lord Rentonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people have arrived in the United Kingdom during the last 12 months for which figures are available claiming asylum as political refugees; and what proportion of these were entitled to police protection from assault or other aggravation.
Earl FerrersThe information which is available refers to the total number of persons who apply for asylum in the United Kingdom under the 1951 United Nations Convention, claiming a well founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. In 1990 the total was over 30,000 (including associated dependants), the majority of the applications being made after arrival. The number claiming asylum specifically on political grounds is not separately identifiable. Information about the number of asylum seekers who seek police protection is not available. It is open to anyone in this country to seek advice or protection if they consider themselves to be in danger, but it is for the police to decide, as a matter of operational judgment, what action is appropriate in individual cases.