§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken was to make(a) an initial decision and (b) a final decision on asylum applications, in total and for (i) individual and (ii) family applications last year; what the average time for initial decisions was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [155574]
Mrs. Roche [holding answer 26 March 2001]The majority of new substantive family applications lodged between 1 April 2000 and 31 December 2000 had an initial decision within two months.
Information regarding the average time taken to make an initial decision is not available for the whole of 2000. The table provides an average for the period of October to December 2000. The average decision times have been calculated using all decisions made for which data are available, including a number of cases decided under the backlog criteria, as well as new cases. These data are still subject to revision following quality checking. Data for earlier months are not available.
Information relating to the final decision is not available.
Average time to initial decision1,2 for the period October 2000 to December 20005 Months All initial decisions3,4 14 of which: Family 5 Individual 14 1The average length of time (in months) is calculated from date application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the month in which the decisions were made. 2Figures are estimates based on cases for which information is recorded. 3Based on data from ACID (Asylum Cases Information Database). 4Excluding dependants. 5Provisional Figures.
853W
Average time to initial decision 4, in months, 1991–19991,2,3 Applications Applications All lodged pre lodged post Year of decision applications July 1993 July 1993 1991 16 16 n/a 1992 20 20 n/a 1993 20 20 n/a
Average time to initial decision 4, in months, 1991–19991,2,3 Applications Applications All lodged pre lodged post Year of decision applications July 1993 July 1993 1994 17 26 6 1995 18 41 9 1996 17 52 11 1997 22 64 14 1998 17 78 12 19995 35 91 16 n/a = Not applicable 1Excluding dependants. 2Figures are estimates based on cases for which information is recorded. 3Based on data from Refugee Index. 4The average length of time (in months) is calculated from date application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the year in which the decisions were made. 5As at the end of December 1999, excluding cases waiting an initial decision.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to achieve his targets for the time taken to process asylum applications(a) for initial decisions and (b) final decisions; and if he will make a statement. [155575]
Mrs. Roche [holding answer 26 March 2001]In line with the 1998 White Paper, we expect to be making 60 per cent. of initial decisions in new substantive asylum cases within two months from April 2001.
The Court Service is aiming to complete 65 per cent. of asylum appeals through both tiers of the Immigration Appellate Authorities within four months from April 2001.