§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum applications made prior to 1 January are outstanding from citizens of(a) Somalia, (b) Afghanistan, (c) Iraq and (d) Kosovo; and if he will make a statement; [95688]
(2) how many asylum applications were processed in the months of (i) July, (ii) August and (iii) September from citizens of (a) Somalia, (b) Afghanistan, (c) Iraq and (d) Kosovo; and how many were (1) agreed and (2) refused. [95689]
§ Mrs. RocheThe available information for July to September is given in the table and relates to the general breakdown of decisions that have been taken. A breakdown of asylum decisions and the number of cases awaiting an initial decision by nationality is not currently available.
§ Mrs. RocheThe current figure for the backlog of asylum claims which were awaiting an initial decision at 30 September 1999 was 90,685. The backlog at 31 December will depend on a number of factors including the levels of new asylum applications and asylum initial decisions over the next three months.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were awaiting initial determination at the end of each of the last five years for which figures are available. [95442]
§ Mrs. RocheThe available information covering the period 1994 to 1998 is given in the table.
961W
Asylum Applications1 awaiting initial determination, excluding dependants Year Number 1994 55,255 1995 69,650 1996 57,405 1997 51,795 1998 64,770 1 Figures rounded to the nearest five
Persons1 removed or departed voluntarily under port or enforcement procedures, 1996 to 1998 1996 1997 1998 Total number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the United Kingdom 26,840 31,150 34,900 Of whom asylum2,3 applicants 4,840 7,160 6,890 Total number of persons removed or made a voluntary departure as a result of deportation action being taken against them 2,000 2,070 1,710 Of whom asylum2,3 applicants 400 450 350 1 Does not include persons who may leave the United Kingdom without informing the Immigration and Nationality Directorate 2 Asylum removals and voluntary departures excludes dependants 3 1998 figures are provisional Note:
All figures are rounded to 10
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of persons whose asylum applications are awaiting initial determination with whom the authorities have lost contact. [95441]
§ Mrs. RocheFigures are not collected centrally on this basis.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum have been made in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available. [95440]
§ Mrs. RocheThe available information covering the period October 1998 to September 1999 is given in the table. Information on the number of asylum applications received in 1999 can be found on the Home Office internet site at http://www homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.
Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants Number 1998 October 5,010 November 4,620 December 4,770 1999 January 4,700 February 4,185 March 5,060 April 4,905 May 5,370 June 6,130 July 6,440 August 7,120 September 7,355 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5