HL Deb 26 January 1995 vol 560 cc88-9WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the recommendations contained in the first Report by the Independent Monitor, in accordance with Section 10 of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993; and, if not, why not.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Dame Elizabeth Anson made four main recommendations in her first report as Independent Monitor of entry clearance refusals which do not have a right of appeal.

First, that all applications and re-applications should be accepted and applicants should be told that they have a right to proceed, even where warned of likely failure. Instructions have been sent to Posts to implements this recommendation.

Secondly, that Posts should be more consistent in their requirements for documentation before an entry clearance application is lodged or an applicant is interviewed. We are encouraging greater consistency between Posts.

Thirdly, that the refusal notice should not refer to confidential matters such as political asylum applications by UK sponsors or others, given that the notice may become a public document with an applicant's consent. Instructions have been sent to Posts to implement this recommendation.

Finally, that writing should be legible on all documents on an applicant's file. Again, we are encouraging Posts to ensure this; Refusal Notices, especially, should be in typescript where possible.