§ Lord Bethellasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Polish nationals have applied for political asylum in the United Kingdom so far this year, how many have been granted asylum, how many have been refused asylum, how many have absconded after being refused asylum and how many have been forced to leave the United Kingdom after being refused asylum.
76WA
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead):The information for the period from 1st January to 27th November 1981—the latest date for which figures are available—is as follows:
Under consideration at start of period 8 Applied for asylum 87 Granted asylum 7 Refused asylum 29 Absconders 1 Under consideration at end of period 48 In some cases where asylum is refused the applicant will qualify for leave to remain under other provisions of the Immigration Rules. Some applicants will pursue rights of appeal through the Immigration Appeals system and others will leave voluntarily. I regret, therefore, that the final figure requested is not readily available.
My honourable friend has written to the noble Lord on the general matters he has raised in correspondence.