HC Deb 17 March 1986 vol 94 cc12-3W
Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from (a) Iraq and (b) Iran are currently in the United Kingdom, broken down into (i) refugees, (ii) asylum seekers and (iii) students.

Mr. Waddington

This information is not available. Statistics of those seeking asylum show that between 1979 and 1985 380 Iraqi nationals were granted asylum (with or without refugee status), and 300 were given leave to enter or remain on an exceptional basis following the refusal of asylum. During the same period, 4,630 Iranian nationals were granted asylum, and 2,040 were given exceptional leave. At 31 December 1985 there were about 400 applications for refugee status outstanding from Iraqis and about 1,500 from Iranians.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Iraqi nationals who arrived in the United Kingdom via Iran have had their asylum application refused and are currently on temporary admission;

(2) how many persons from (a) Iran and (b) Iraq have been refused asylum and are currently in the United Kingdom on temporary admission.

Mr. Waddington

I regret that information in the form requested could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.