§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who the members of the Asylum Intake Reduction sub-committee are; and if he will make a statement; [174386]
(2) if he will publish the minutes of the Asylum Intake Reduction sub-committee; and if he will make a statement; [174387]
(3) on what dates the Asylum Intake Reduction sub-committee has met; and if he will make a statement. [174389]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 20 May 2004]: The Asylum Intake Reduction/Secure Borders sub-programme board is one of several sub-programme boards designed to assist and oversee delivery of the Public Service Agreement on Asylum and Immigration which is jointly owned by the Home Office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs. The sub-programme boards report to a Joint Programme Board. The Asylum Intake Reduction/Secure Borders sub-programme board is chaired by the Senior Director, Operations of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. The members are relevant senior officials from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, the Department for Constitutional Affairs and UK visas.
The sub-programme board meets monthly. Its minutes contain strategic information in relation to border security and the deployment of resources which is internal to the Government and is not appropriate for wider circulation. Publication of the minutes could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion and essential policy analysis as detailed in part 2, section 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.