§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on access to travel documents for asylum seekers granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom; what representations he has received about access to travel documents; and what is the average wait to obtain such documents.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerI am satisfied that the policy on access to travel documents for asylum seekers granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom, which was introduced on 1 January 1994, allows those who cannot obtain a passport from their own authorities to be issued with such documents. I receive a number of representations from hon. Members, representative organisations and individuals about particular cases. A wide variety of factors influences the time taken to issue travel documents. However, applications on which no further enquiries are necessary are generally completed within eight weeks of receipt in the immigration and nationality department.
§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what arrangements he has with the French authorities to return to France persons refused asylum in the United Kingdom on safe third country grounds;
(2) what arrangements he has with the German authorities to return to Germany persons refused asylum in the United Kingdom on safe third country grounds.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThere is close liaison with the French and German authorities over the return of persons refused asylum on safe third country grounds in accordance with the immigration rules.