§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for visas (a) to study and (b) for political asylum he has received from Iranian nationals in each of the past three years; and how many of these applications he has approved.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs that the information requested about visa applications to study is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Following is the information about applications for political asylum made by Iranians from abroad including applications from dependants to join Iranians already granted asylum here.
Number of persons covered by applications Number granted asylum 1981 27 18 1982 95 72 1983 (to date) 66 37 Grants are not necessarily made in the year of application.