§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who in his Department or the immigration service authorised the disclosure of information concerning the refusal to grant asylum in the United Kingdom to Mr. Abiodum Igbindu; [4851]
(2) what is the policy of his Department in respect of disclosure of information about individual cases, concerning immigration and asylum, to third parties, and what action he is taking in respect of the disclosure of information concerning Mr. Abiodum Igbindu; [4852]
(3) what assessment he has made of the source of the disclosure to third parties of personal details relating to Mr. Abiodum Igbindu. [4856]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 8 December 1995]: Details of individual cases are not disclosed unless applicants—or someone acting on their behalf—have chosen to make public details of their cases and allegations about their consideration. In those circumstances, it is the well-established practice of the Home Office to give information in response to inquiries.
In the case of Mr. Igbindu, the applicant chose to release information to the press. In accordance with normal practice, the Home Office press office responded to media inquiries.