HL Deb 27 September 2000 vol 616 cc134-5WA
Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many asylum seekers and how many illegal immigrants arrived and how many have been reported deported in each year since 1997. [HL3641]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The numbers of persons applying for asylum in each year since 1997 are shown in the first table. By definition, it is not possible to provide total numbers of illegal immigrants over the same period. The second table shows the number of persons who were served with illegal entry papers. The third table shows the number of failed asylum applicants removed or departing voluntarily as a result of enforcement action, whilst the fourth table shows the number of persons, including some persons who had applied for asylum, removed or departing voluntarily as a result of illegal entry enforcement action.

Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants
1997 1998 1999P
32,500 46,020 71,160
P 1999 data are provisional.

Data are rounded to the nearest 10.

Number of persons served with illegal entry papers
1997 1998 1999P
14,390 16,500 21,580
P 1999 data are provisional.

Data are rounded to the nearest 10.

Persons removed or departing voluntarily1 as a result of enforcement action who had, at some stage, applied for asylum
1997 1998 1999P
7,160 6,900 7,620
1 Includes voluntary departures taking place after the initiation of enforcement action.
P 1999 data are provisional.

Data are rounded to the nearest 10.

Persons removed or departing voluntarily1 as a result of illegal entry enforcement
1997 1998 1999P
Enforcement—illegal 4,540 5,580 5,220
1 Includes voluntary departures taking place after the initiation of enforcement action.
P 1999 data are provisional.

Data are rounded to the nearest 10.