HC Deb 19 March 1996 vol 274 cc126-7W
Mr. Austin-Walker

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applicants have been waiting for more than a year for a decision from his Department in respect of an appeal against a refusal of an application for asylum. [21486]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Austin-Walker

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to expedite his Department's processing of appeals against a refusal of an application for asylum. [21487]

Mr. Evans

Additional adjudicators have been appointed and further recruitment plans are in hand. The number of hearing rooms has already been increased and further expansion plans are under consideration.

New asylum procedure rules aimed at reducing delays in the appeals process are being prepared following the recommendations in the report by KPMG Peat Marwick. The Lord Chancellor will consult interested organisations about the proposed new rules in due course.