HC Deb 03 July 1990 vol 175 cc485-6W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) political asylum and (b) variation of leave to remain in the United Kingdom have been received in each quarter since 1 January 1988; how many have been (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) await decision; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 26 June 1990]: The available information is given in the tables.

Table A: Applications for refugee status, or variation of leave to

remain in the United Kingdom, made during the period 1 January

1988 to 31 March 1990, by quarter.

Applications for refugee status Applications for variation of leave2
1988
Quarter 1 1,327 77,200
Quarter 2 1,197 73,700
Quarter 3 1,361 74,500
Quarter 4 1,378 71,000
1989
Quarter 1 12,275 64,800
Quarter 2 15,645 59,900
Quarter 3 13,025 70,200
Quarter 4 13,380 72,900
1990
Quarter 1 12,450 72,100
1 Provisional figures.
2 Includes referred entry clearance applications, and enquiries submitted by letter, as well as variation of leave cases. Includes both general and Eastern European immigration casework.

Table B: Decisions made during the period 1 January 1988 to 31

March 1990 on applications for refugee status, or for variation of

leave

Refugee cases Variation of leave cases
Grants 112,475 2 3 4420,545
Refusals 1,615 3 430,005
Cases outstanding as at 31 March 1990 516,272 5 627,968
1 Grants of refugee status or of exceptional leave.
2 Grants of extensions or of settlement.
3 Includes both general and Eastern immigration casework
4 Does not include decisions on referred entry clearance applicationa, or enquiries submitted by letter.
5 This figure is a total of all work outstanding in the Refugee Unit.
6 Includes referred entry clearance applications as well as variation of leave cases. The figure comprises 26,359 general immigration cases and 1,609 Eastern Europe.