HL Deb 11 January 2005 vol 668 c40WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy regarding asylum claimants arriving in the United Kingdom from the Democratic Republic of Congo; and whether it is their practice to return unsuccessful applicants from the whole of that country, or from certain provinces only. [HL286]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

All applications from Congolese nationals are considered on their individual merits and we will grant asylum or other forms of leave where appropriate. Where applicants have their asylum claims refused and have any appeal dismissed they can in our view return safely to the DRC.

All returns of DRC nationals are made to Kinshasa Airport, which is open to international flights. Returns are not made to any other part of the country due to the poor security situation that exists in large parts of the country and the poor transport infrastructure. The question of whether to return unsuccessful applicants who originate from outside Kinshasa is considered in the light of the individual circumstances in each case.