§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made since the end of March towards the target of deciding most initial asylum applications within two months of their receipt; and whether they still believe that the target can be achieved by April 2001. [HL4478]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe White PaperFairer, Faster and Firmer—a modern approach to immigration and asylum set out our proposals to deliver a more effective asylum system, including deciding asylum applications within an average of two months. We are committed to meeting the White Paper target of achieving this by April 2001.
We are developing new procedures to speed up the consideration of both new cases and those in the backlog. These are being continually refined to achieve maximum efficiency. We are also prioritising family cases and considering them under "fast track" procedures with the aim of achieving the two-month target by April 2000. In addition, we are recruiting substantial numbers of new staff purely to deal with 114WA asylum applications and training more of our existing staff in asylum skills.
§ Lord Eamesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to deal with the increase in those claiming refugee status in the United Kingdom. [HL4433]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe Immigration and Asylum Bill sets out our proposals to deliver a more effective asylum system. This will protect those in genuine need of protection while dealing swiftly and firmly with abusive applications. The Bill will deliver key elements of our strategy to reform the asylum system.
Operationally, we are developing new procedures to speed up the consideration of both new cases and those in the backlog. The procedures will be continually refined to achieve maximum efficiency. In addition, we are recruiting substantial numbers of new staff purely to deal with asylum applications.