HL Deb 25 July 1996 vol 574 cc169-70WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Secretary of State for Social Security's remarks on 15th July (H.C. Deb., col. 849), which clause of the Geneva Convention allows the return of asylum applicants to safe third countries.

Baroness Blatch

Article 33.1 provides that no contracting state shall expel or return a refugee to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Removing asylum applicants to safe third countries is entirely compatible with that requirement.