§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of Mr. Karamjit Singh Chahal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleSince the original decision to deport Mr. Chahal was made in August 1990, representations have been made by 51 hon. Members; four Members of the European Parliament; Amnesty International and several other organisations; and over 2,000 members of the public in this country and overseas. Most of these representations have supported Mr. Chahal's request to be granted asylum in the United Kingdom; some have called for his early removal to India.
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§ Mr.MacleanThe information requested is given in the table.
The decision to deport Mr. Chahal was taken on the ground that his presence is not conducive to the public good for reasons of national security and for other reasons of a political nature, namely the international fight against terrorism. On 22 October 1993, the Court of Appeal held that my predecessor's decisions to refuse Mr. Chahal's application for asylum and to deport him were both reasonable and lawful. Subject to any further legal challenges to that decision arrangements for Mr. Chahal's deportation will proceed.