§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made as to the number of asylum seekers who are abusing their position in the United Kingdom. [11136]
§ The Prime MinisterThe level of abuse of the asylum procedures is very high. Last year only 5 per cent. of asylum applicants were granted refugee status under the 1951 United Nations convention on refugees and 79 per cent. of applicants were refused outright. The great majority of Home Office asylum decisions are upheld on appeal by independent adjudicators; last year, only 3 per cent. of such appeals were allowed. The Government are taking measures across a broad front to deter abusive asylum claims and to strengthen the procedures for determining applications.