HC Deb 30 January 1996 vol 270 cc700-1W
Ms Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, after 5 February, in respect of asylum seekers (i) appealing against a negative decision and (ii) applying for asylum in-country, lack of funds will he considered an acceptable reason for failing to attend an interview; and if his Department plans(a) to start interviewing asylum applicants at their homes and (b) to fund their travel-to-interview costs. [11831]

Miss Widdecombe

After 5 February, as at present, applicants will be expected to attend interviews. The immigration rules make it clear that failure, without reasonable explanation, to comply with a request to attend for interview may lead to the refusal of the application. Any reasons put forward by an applicant for failing to attend an interview will continue to be considered against his or her individual circumstances.

The Home Office has no plans to interview asylum applicants at their homes or to pay their travel costs.

Ms Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the practice of withholding permission to work to asylum applicants for six months after 5 February. [11803]

Miss Widdecombe

The employment concession for asylum seekers is kept under regular review.

Ms Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the administrative costs that might arise after 5 February in the serving of papers on asylum applicants not receiving benefits who are(a) homeless and (b) living in temporary nightshelters. [11804]

Miss Widdecombe

In cases where the Home Office has been supplied with details of a representative but does not know the whereabouts of the applicant, the decision will be served on the representative. The Immigration Appeals (Notices) Regulations 1984 provide that the requirement to serve a notice is satisfied if the notice is served on a person appointed to act on behalf of the applicant.

However, the Immigration Appeals (Notices) Regulations 1984 also make it clear that there is no requirement to give written notice of a decision if the officer or authority responsible for giving it has no knowledge of the whereabouts or place of abode of the person concerned. The onus will continue to be on the asylum applicant to maintain contact with the Home Office.