HC Deb 26 October 1989 vol 158 c611W
39. Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in deciding applications for political asylum by Turkish Kurds.

Mr. Renton

By 11 October the asylum applications from 592 Turkish nationals had been considered in detail. The results of this consideration are that 71 met the criteria of the 1951 UN convention and have been recognised as refugees; 243 have been given leave to remain in the United Kingdom on an exceptional basis; 24 departed voluntarily before a final decision was reached; 172 have been notified of a provisional decision that they do not qualify for asylum and further information/representations are awaited; 36 did not qualify for asylum or leave to enter under the immigration rules, were refused entry and returned to Turkey.

In addition, a further 207 have made voluntary departures after withdrawing their claims for asylum.

Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of Kurds currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom and of those the number in custody in(a) Her Majesty's prisons and (b) detention centres.

Mr. Renton

Immigration statistics do not record ethnic origins, but most of the 4,200 Turkish nationals currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are believed to be of Kurdish origin. Six Turkish asylum seekers, whose applications have been refused and who await removal, are currently detained, all in prisons.