§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 150 and 1,000 former Yugoslav nationals released from detention, and their dependants, announced by the Home Secretary last year, have, to date, been received in the United Kingdom; what arrangements his Department has made to accommodate these families; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe Government have undertaken, in response to a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to accept a total of 1,000 former Yugoslav nationals who have been released from detention camps and their dependants. An initial group of 79 former detainees together with 49 of their dependants arrived on 17 December. We are awaiting confirmation from the UNHCR of the size and timing of arrival of further groups.
We have invited the Refugee Council and the British Red Cross to provide initial reception accommodation for those who wish to take advantage of it. This is being funded by the Government. Following this initial reception period the Refugee Council will arrange more permanent accommodation in the community for the former detainees and their dependants. Some have joined friends or relatives who are already in the United Kingdom, either on arrival or after a short period in reception accommodation.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former Yugoslav nationals visiting the United Kingdom have applied to extend their visit in the last six months, including applying to extend their visa; how many such applications(a) have been granted, (b) have been refused and (c) a decision is still pending; how many such visitors he now regards as overstaying; and how many such visitors have been removed from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Charles WardleAvailable information is given in the table. Comprehensive reliable information on the number of applications for extension of stay in this period, and on overstaying, is not available.
599W
Variation of leave decisions1 on, and removals under enforcement powers of, nationals of the former Yugoslavia, 1 April—30 September 1992 Number Extensions of stay as visitor2 Granted 76 Refused 19
Number Extensions of stay on other basis23 Granted4 1,117 Refused 93 Removed as illegal entrants5 3 Removed under deportation process because of a breach of conditions of leave to enter or remain5 2 1 Excluding dependants. 2 Figures may understate a little because of recording problems. 3 Mainly as students, au pairs or on the basis of marriage. 4 Excluding grants of settlement. 5 Figures relate to all persons and not just those who have sought an extension of stay.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former Yugoslav nationals have applied for political asylum on arrival in the last six months in the United Kingdom; how many such applications have been(a) granted, (b) refused and (c) are being considered; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleIn the six months June to November 1992 a total of 2,040 nationals of the former Yugoslavia (excluding dependants), applied for asylum in the United Kingdom at ports of entry. Aside from 40 applications refused on the grounds that they arrived from safe third countries, the remainder of the applications are still under consideration.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former Yugoslav nationals have been removed or deported from the United Kingdom since August 1992; if he will list in each case the country to which the person was removed or deported; in how many cases the country had indicated prior to removal or deportation it was prepared to accept the person concerned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleIn the period August to October 1992, 29 former Yugoslav nationals were refused leave to enter and removed at United Kingdom ports. The majority of these persons were seeking entry as visitors. The information requested on the receiving countries is not available centrally, except in respect of the asylum seekers removed. No asylum seekers have been returned to Yugoslavia since August; seven were removed to safe third countries—three to Germany and four to Sweden—in the period August to December 1992. It is not the usual practice to seek the receiving country's agreement to accept a person refused entry. No former Yugoslav nationals were removed as illegal entrants or under the deportation process in August or September 1992. Data for subsequent months are not yet available.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former Yugoslav nationals, permitted to enter the United Kingdom as visitors since August 1992, have applied for political asylum; how many such applications have been(a) granted and (b) refused; how many are being considered; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe available information is that in the period August to November 1992 a total of 1,490 nationals of the former Yugoslavia (excluding dependants) applied for asylum after entry to the United Kingdom.600W Comprehensive information on their immigration status on application, or date of arrival in the United Kingdom, is not available.
The large majority of these applications are still under consideration.