§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what penalties will be imposed by him against those who escaped from Yarl's Wood following the fire but were recaptured; [38670]
(2) what penalties including loss of asylum rights are available to him to impose on those who are at large following the Yarl's Wood fire who are asylum seekers. [38661]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 February 2002]: The Immigration Acts do not at present provide for adverse inferences to be drawn from behaviour such as absconding or escaping from a removal centre. However, in the case of persons who were held pending removal, their removal could of course proceed once they are apprehended. Individuals who have outstanding applications or appeals would be detained pending the outcome of those matters. In the case of individuals who remain at large, the consideration of any outstanding asylum applications would proceed on the basis of the information available and this could well result in refusal. Similarly, appellants who fail to attend the hearing of their appeals would damage their chances at appeal.
Under the new arrangements set out in the White Paper, "Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain", all asylum seekers will be expected to comply fully with the more managed systems that are being put in place. If they do not do so, it will adversely affect the credibility of their claim for asylum and will increase the chances of their claim being refused.