§ 27. Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards Iranian nationals who apply for asylum on the grounds of a well-founded fear of persecution because of the length of time they have remained in the United Kingdom since the Iranian revolution.
§ Mr. WaddingtonEvery application for asylum is carefully considered in accordance with the immigration rules and the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees. Where an applicant expresses a fear of return to Iran but does not qualify for asylum here, he may be allowed to remain in this country exceptionally, outside the immigration rules. Officials have instructions to consider applications from Iranians sympathetically and cases of continuing doubt are referred to me, but there are, nevertheless, occasions where it would be inappropriate to grant exceptional treatment.