HC Deb 07 March 1990 vol 168 cc634-5W
Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Chinese diplomats applied for political asylum in the United Kingdom since June 1989; and what action was taken in each case.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Four Chinese diplomats applied for political asylum in the United Kingdom in 1989. All were granted refugee status.

Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for political asylum have been received within the last 12 months from Chinese citizens residing in the United Kingdom; and how many have been granted.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The available information is given in the following table:

Applications1 received for refugee status by Chinese nationals subsequent to their entry to the United Kingdom, and decisions1 on such applications, 1989.
Number
Applications 52
Decisions 15
Granted refugee status 10
Granted exceptional leave 5
Refused refugee status or exceptional leave
1 Provisional figures which may be underestimates.

These figures do not include Chinese nationals who apply to remain here on an exceptional basis, and are being allow to stay under the terms of the announcement to the House on 20 December 1989, at column 274.