HC Deb 08 February 1996 vol 271 cc313-4W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the arrangements in each European Union state for asylum seekers(a) to apply for social security benefit and (b) to seek employment; what time limits apply; and if he will make a statement. [14127]

Miss Widdecombe

Information about access to social security benefits and employment in other European Union countries is at paragraphs 17 to 19 of the Home Office memorandum on key asylum measures in other European countries, a copy of which is in the Library.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that asylum seekers who are granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom are able to apply for reunion with their families in less than the four years as required at present. [14129]

Mr. Kirkhope

Those granted exceptional leave to remain will not necessarily be here on a permanent basis. They will normally be eligible for family reunion only after four years, although this may be granted earlier in cases with wholly exceptional compassionate circumstances.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy in respect of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom participating in political activities within the United Kingdom; how that policy has changed over the past 10 years; if such involvement by an asylum seeker may be regarded as being supportive of the application; and if he will make a statement. [14123]

Mr. Kirkhope

All applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are considered in the light of all available information and in accordance with the criteria set out in the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees.

Those seeking asylum in this country are expected to act within the law. If an asylum seeker undertakes activities in the United Kingdom which are inconsistent with his previous beliefs and behaviour and calculated to create or substantially enhance his claim to refugee status, this may damage the credibility of his claim.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the net expenditure implications of allowing asylum seekers to seek employment from the date their asylum application is lodged; and if he will make a statement. [14126]

Miss Widdecombe

The opportunity to seek employment is a major incentive for economic migrants and undeserving asylum applicants. We have no plans to relax employment restrictions for asylum seekers.