HL Deb 24 July 2000 vol 616 c26WA
Lord Peston

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with the current arrangements for asylum claims to be made by post. [HL 3554]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

We are at present receiving about 700 postal applications for asylum a month and estimate that about half come from applicants living in London. We take the view that asylum applications should normally be made in person so that the proper checks, including fingerprinting, can be made to establish identity and prevent fraudulent or multiple applications. From 31 July, postal applicants living in any of the London boroughs will be required to attend for screening at Croydon before their claim is recorded and processed. We will be seeking to extend similar arrangements to other parts of the country as soon as possible.