§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy concerning trained medical doctors who arrive in the United Kingdom and apply for asylum; and also towards those who have exhausted the legal remedies. [HL6347]
§ Lord Filkin:All applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are considered individually on their merits in accordance with the UK's obligations under the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. Only those who are able to demonstrate that they are in need of international protection will be granted refugee status. The fact that an asylum seeker may have professional qualifications does not mean that his application will be expedited or receive more favourable treatment. It is government policy that those who receive a final negative decision on their application should leave the country unless they qualify to remain on humanitarian grounds or in accordance with the Immigration Rules. This applies equally to those with medical or other professional qualifications.