§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people of which nationalities holding airside transit visas were(a) permitted to transit at a UK airport and (b) refused entry to the UK in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998; [70739]
(2) how many people of which nationalities arriving in the UK holding airside transit visas did not leave the UK as required and how many of these (a) applied for asylum, (b) were recognised as refugees, (c) were granted exceptional leave and (d) were refused entry to the UK in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998. [70738]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienInformation is available only on holders of airside transit visas refused entry at the 12 largest ports, and is given in the table. Only 2 of these persons applied for asylum, both in 1996—a Ghanaian who made a voluntary departure from the United Kingdom before a decision was reached on the application, and a Nigerian whose application was refused.
111W
Number1 1996 China 2 Ghana 2 Iran 1 Iraq 1 Nigeria 3 Somalia 1 Total 10 1997 Afghanistan 1 China 1 Ethiopia 1 Ghana 1
Number1 Iran 4 Sri Lanka 2 Uganda 1 Total 11 1998 China 1 Ghana 1 Iran 3 Iraq 2 Slovakia 2 Sri Lanka 2 Yugoslavia 2 Total 13 1Data cover Heathrow (4 terminals, Gatwick (2), Manchester (2), Dover East, Harwich, Stansted, Waterloo.