Training (Hansard, 9 May 1995)

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the content of training provided to officials in the admission and asylum procedure with respect to(a) knowledge of international legal instruments, (b) asylum law, (c) humanitarian law, with particular reference to the Geneva convention and protocols, (d) language skills, (e) interview techniques, (f) inter-cultural training and (g) other matters. [22743]

§ Mr. Nicholas Baker
[holding answer 5 May 1995]: The power to grant or refuse passengers leave to enter the United Kingdom is exercised by immigration officers. However, the determination of asylum claims is entirely a matter for officers in the asylum division of the Home Office who receive training based on the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees and its 1967 protocol. Training regularly addresses most of the issues listed. Language skills are not required as interpreters are used when necessary.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what types of personnel are recruited to train officials in admission and asylum procedure; how they are recruited; and if he will make a statement on the training methods and materials used. [22744]

§ Mr. Nicholas Baker
[holding answer 5 May 1995]: Trainers are recruited internally by competitive selection. Essential qualities include well developed inter-personal and communication skills coupled with detailed knowledge and experience of the appropriate subject matter. The methodology and materials used vary according to circumstances, and include role play, classroom presentations and video.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent training of officials in the admission and asylum procedures is carried out by a training institution; and how training is organised. [22745]

§ Mr. Nicholas Baker
[holding answer 5 May 1995]: Training is delivered by immigration and nationality department staff trainers experienced in asylum related work. There is a continuing programme of courses and specialist seminars, with contributions from outside organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the objectives set for the training of border officials in dealing with asylum-seekers and refugees as set out in(a) legislative tests, (b) regulations, (c) guidelines and (d) other documents. [22746]

§ Mr. Nicholas Baker
[holding answer 5 May 1995]: The objectives of immigration officer training in asylum work are to: 381W

(a) familiarise officers with the general principles of the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees and its 1967 Protocol.

(b) instruct them in the relevant immigration rules and legislation.

(c) inform them of the procedures to adopt when interviewing applicants, referring applications to the asylum division and implementing asylum decisions.

(d) ensure that consistently high standards of professionalism and courtesy are maintained when dealing with asylum applicants, as with any other category of passenger.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the category of officials who may come into contact with asylum seekers arriving in the United Kingdom; [22747]
(2) if he will list the categories of officials who have been assigned a specific role in the admission and asylum procedure. [22749]

§ Mr. Nicholas Baker
[holding answers 5 May 1995]: Passengers arriving in the United Kingdom are examined by an immigration officer in accordance with the Immigration Act 1971. Passengers who apply for asylum will be interviewed initially by an immigration officer. All such cases will then be referred to the asylum division of the Home Office for determination of the asylum claim.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial resources were devoted to the training of officials in admission and asylum procedures in the current and previous financial years; and what is the percentage change. [22752]

§ Mr. Nicholas Baker
[holding answer 5 May 1995]: The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In any event, asylum training is an integral part of the immigration and nationality department training programme and to separate the costs from the overall training expenditure would be misleading.