HC Deb 06 November 1995 vol 265 cc563-4W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inform in-country asylum seekers from countries who have undergone events likely to give rise to a well-founded fear of persecution that their entitlement to social security benefits will not cease on 8 January 1996. [41036]

Mr. Kirkhope

If declarations are made in respect of individual countries in accordance with the proposed benefit regulations, nationals of the countries concerned who submitted in-country asylum applications would be informed, as would relevant organisations and voluntary groups.

The benefit entitlement of all in-country applicants whose claims were lodged before 12 October will be protected until the next decision on their claim, regardless of whether their countries have undergone such events.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of those applying for asylum in 1994 had children with them in the United Kingdom; what percentage of the total this represents; and how many children were involved; [41502]

(2) how many persons applied to the United Kingdom for asylum in 1994; and how many were successful. [41499]

Mr. Kirkhope

In 1994, 32,830 principal applicants applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. Of those, approximately 4,000, 12 per cent., were accompanied by dependants. The estimated total number of dependants was 9,400, of whom approximately half were minor children.

In 1994, 825 principal applicants were granted asylum and a further 3,660 were refused asylum but granted exceptional leave: 16,500 were refused asylum.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those seeking asylum do so (a) at the port of entry and (b) within the United Kingdom mainland after entry. [41500]

Mr. Kirkhope

In the last year, October 1994 to September 1995, there have been 40,180 applications for asylum. Of these, approximately 30 per cent. were made at the port of entry and 70 per cent. made after entry into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people are currently awaiting a decision on their application for asylum in the United Kingdom; and what is the date of the oldest application; [41498]

(2) how many of those currently awaiting determination of their applications for asylum in the United Kingdom submitted their application (a) after their existing leave to remain had expired and (b) within three weeks of its expiry. [41496]

Mr. Kirkhope

The number of outstanding applications for asylum in the United Kingdom as at 30 September 1995 was 64,415. The oldest outstanding application for asylum is not separately identifiable.

Of the 64,415 outstanding asylum applications, approximately 31,000 were lodged by people who had previously been given leave to enter or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. An estimated 7,200 of these applications were lodged after such leave had expired. Information regarding the number of these applications submitted within three weeks of their leave expiring is not readily available.