§ Mr. JanmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the granting of settlement to asylum seekers who are given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom and on the admission of their families; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdPolicy in this area has recently been reviewed. In many cases settlement will not be at issue since those granted exceptional leave will return to their own countries when circumstances allow. In the remainder a person given exceptional leave will normally be granted settlement on application after seven years' residence in the United Kingdom, subject to the general provisions of paragraphs 97 to 100 of the immigration rules. In certain circumstances settlement may be granted earlier than, or withheld after, seven years. Exceptional leave will normally be granted in stages of one year, three years and three years, although this pattern may also be varied. Applications from the spouse and minor children of a person on exceptional leave to join him or her will usually be granted after four years, subject to the general requirements of the immigration rules on the admission of spouses and dependants. An application for family reunion may be granted at an earlier point if there are compelling compassionate circumstances.