§ Mr. ChurchillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the change in asylum seekers to the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, in 1994; what has been the change in such applications in(a) Denmark, (b) Finland, (c) Germany, (d) Norway and (e) Sweden; and if he will make a statement. [33152]
§ Mr. Nicholas Baker[holding answer 10 July 1995]: The available information on asylum applications in western European countries for 1993 and 1994 is given in the table. The number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, rose from 22,400 in 1993 to 32,800 in 1994, an increase of 45 per cent.
478WThe figures in the table show that asylum applications to this country have been rising when most of our European Union partners have been experiencing reductions. The United Kingdom has a duty under the 1951 United Nations convention on refugees to consider asylum applications made on our territory, but it has no obligation to encourage would-be asylum seekers from around the world to come here. I can confirm that the Government are considering taking measures, in addition to the major increase in resources for the asylum determination system and wider use of powers to curtail leave announced in my right hon. and learned Friend's written answer on 15 February, Official Report, column 693, to enable us to deal more effectively with the growing number of undeserving and abusive asylum applications and reduce the factors which may attract such applicants to this country.
Applications received for asylum in selected European countries, including dependants1, 1993 and 1994 1993 1994 Difference Percentage Increase Belgium 26,900 14,300 -12,600 -45 Denmark 14,400 6,600 -7,800 -55 Finland 2,000 800 -1,200 -60 France 27,600 26,000 -1,600 -5 Germany 322,600 127,200 -195,400 -60 Italy 1,300 1,800 +500 +40 Netherlands 35,400 52,600 +17,200 +50 Norway 12,900 3,400 -9,500 -75 Spain 12,600 10,200 -2,400 -20 Sweden 37,600 18,600 -19,000 -50 Switzerland 24,700 16,100 -8,600 -35 United Kingdom 28,000 42,200 +14,200 +50 1 Except for Spain which excludes dependants, and France which excludes minor dependants.