§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the introduction of comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation in the past six months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI have received no representations in the past six months regarding the introduction of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, but have received a number from various bodies and individuals about different aspects of discrimination legislation.
The Commission for Racial Equality published its consultation document on their second review of the Race Relations Act 1976 in July 1991. We will give careful consideration to the formal recommendations which the Commission intends to put forward later this year.
The Equal Opportunities Commission submitted formal proposals to amend the Sex Discrimination Act in March 1988 and wrote to the Home Secretary with revisions in February 1992. These are receiving serious consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, along with proposals from other bodies.
Table A: Applications12 received for asylum in the United Kingdom by Turkish and Iraqi nationals, excluding dependants 1988 31989 31990 1991 January to April 1992 Total applications between January 1988 and April 1992 Turkey 335 2,415 1,185 2,110 630 6,680 Iraq 165 215 890 915 315 2,500 Total 500 2,630 2,075 3,025 950 9,180 1 Includes applications made in-country as well as at ports. 2 Figures rounded to the nearest 5. 3 Provisional and estimated figures.
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Table B: Applications1 2 received for asylum in the United Kingdom by Turkish and Iraqi nationals, excluding dependants, and decisions1 2; totals for the period 1 January 1988–30 April 1992 Applications received Decisions3 4 Applications outstanding at 30 April 19921 Granted asylum Granted exceptional leave Refusals Total decisions Refused asylum and exceptional leave5 Refused under para 101 of Immigration Rules5 Total refused Turkey 6,680 585 1,690 300 140 440 2,720 4,060 Iraq 2,500 200 595 55 5 60 855 2,015 Total Turkey and Iraq 9,180 790 2,285 355 150 500 3,575 6,075 11 Includes applications made in-country as well as at ports. 2 Provisional and estimated figures, rounded to the nearest 5. 3 Recent figures may understate because of delays in recording. 4 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made between 1 January 1988 and 30 April 1992. 5 Includes refusals on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country and, up to 30 November 1991, refusals under paragraph 101 of the immigration rules for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period. 6 From 1 December 1991 only: see footnote (5). 7 These figures are maxima which are likely to overstate the number outstanding because of earlier underrecording of decisions. A number of representations have also been received in the past six months calling for the law to be clarified in relation to discrimination against homosexuals.
Colleagues in the Department of Social Security also received a number of letters in support of the Private Member's Bill introduced by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) which was debated on 31 January 1992.