§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department was notified by Essex police force that a time capsule was being buried beneath Clacton police station on 23 August; what was the cost of the operation; what was placed in the capsules; and if he will make a statement. [40951]
§ Mr. MacleanNeither I nor my Department would expect to be notified about such a local matter. I understand that the capsule, which cost £50, was buried in the foundations of the new police station now being constructed in Clacton at no additional cost to the building project. It contains some 29 items among which are a photograph album of the old station, handcuffs, fingerprinting kit, custody record and a book of comments by serving staff. Although the decision is an entirely local one, it seems to me an entirely suitable and inexpensive way of preserving for posterity the hard work and endeavours of these local police officers who serve their community so well.
Asylum applications of nationals of Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Algeria, January to September 1995 Sri Lanka Nigeria Algeria Total asylum applications 1,510 4,550 1,409 Applied in-country of which: those with leave to remain 7 per cent. 14 per cent. 12 per cent. out-of-time applications 4 per cent. 20 per cent. 8 per cent. illegal entrants and means of entry unknown 38 per cent. 47 per cent. 68 per cent. Applied at port of entry 51 per cent. 19 per cent. 12 per cent.