Asylum and Immigration Policy

HC Deb 16 January 2002 vol 378 cc359-60W

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that country assessments in relation to asylum and immigration policy are undertaken by an independent body; and if he will make a statement. [27843]

Angela Eagle

The country assessments are compiled from a wide variety of sources, including reports from media and non-governmental agencies, and advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, its high commissions and embassies. All the source material is cited throughout, and the vast majority is readily available in the public domain.

We have commissioned an evaluation of the contents and accessibility of country information in the asylum process. This work includes an assessment of whether the information provided by the Country Information and Policy Unit, including the country assessments, meets the needs of users. The finalised report will provide systematic, additional evidence on which to base decisions whether any further mechanisms might prove useful.