§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to facilitate the further use of(a) computers and (b) other forms of information technology in the processing of asylum claims. [52061]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28 April 1998,Official Report,columns 95–96, and to the reply I gave to the hon.Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan), on 23 July 1998, Official Report, column 620.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum seekers made in-country applications for asylum in each of the last 10 years. [52079]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe information requested is given in the table.
29W
Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, in-country 1988 to 1997 Principal applicants Year Number of in-country asylum applications Per cent, of total asylum applications 1988 3,140 79 1989 5,440 47 1990 17,200 66 1991 35,815 80 1992 16,930 69 1993 15,050 67
Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, in-country 1988 to 1997 Principal applicants Year Number of in-country asylum applications Per cent, of total asylum applications 1994 22,600 69 1995 29,555 67 19962 17,205 58 1997 15,915 49 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with the exception of 1988 2 Included revisions to the number of in-country applications lodged between September and December 1996
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has introduced revised targets for the length of time taken to complete different stages in the asylum process following the Comprehensive Spending Review; [52082]
(2) what financial support he proposes to make available to asylum applicants who (a) make an in country application for asylum and (b) appeal against a negative asylum decision; and at what rate of payment; [52066]
(3) what plans he has to change the rights of appeal for asylum seekers who have come through (a) EU member states, (b) the USA, (c) Switzerland and (d) Norway; [52065]
(4) what plans he has to introduce changes in the processing of asylum claims and the rights of appeal of asylum applicants from the White List countries; [52084]
(5) if additional benefits will be made available to asylum seekers presently in receipt of benefit as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review; [52086]
(6) if he will give a breakdown of the support costs for asylum seekers transferred to his Department under the Comprehensive Spending Review; [52087]
(7) what plans he has to change the eligibility of in-country asylum applicants for housing. [52085]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThese and other matters are addressed in the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—a modern approach to Immigration and Asylum"(Cm 4018) which is to be published today.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (i) asylum caseworkers and (ii) special adjudicators are currently employed in the processing of asylum claims and the determination of asylum appeals; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on these numbers. [52083]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienOn 1 June 1998, there were 486 officers in the Asylum Directorate processing asylum claims. There are currently 37 full-time and 118 part-time special adjudicators determining asylum appeals. The impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on staff numbers will be known when more detailed plans have been drawn up.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average length of time currently taken to determine an appeal against an asylum refusal; [52093]
30W(2) how many asylum applicants have appealed against a negative asylum decision in each of the last five years; and what proportion of asylum applicants receiving a negative decision appealed. [52081]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe information requested regarding appeals against refusal of asylum, 1994 to 1997, is given in the table. I regret that equivalent information for years prior to 1994 is not available.
On average, asylum appeals to the Adjudicator of the Immigration Appellate Authority are taking twelve and a half months to reach a determination.
Appeals against refusal of asylum received by the Home Office, 1994 to 1997 Principal appellants Year of appeal Appeals received by the Hone Office The proportion of those refused asylum lodging an appeal1 (per cent.) 1997 20,950 83 1996 22,985 78 1995 14,035 73 1994 10,580 78 1 Reflects the proportion of asylum decisions appealed following refusal after substantive consideration or on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time taken to determine an asylum application from(a) a port of entry asylum applicant and (b) an in-country asylum applicant, according to the most recent figures available. [52153]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe information requested in given in the table.
Initial decisions on applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants Principal Applicants Location of application Average time to decision1 Pre 1993 Act In-Country 57 months Port 57 months Post 1993 Act In-Country 15 months Port 12 months 1Estimated from available data