§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What importance they attach to the principle of family reunion (a) generally, and (b) in relation to married couples with children already born, when considering (i) immigration cases, (ii) asylum applications (iii) requests by persons granted Exceptional Leave to Remain to bring in close family members.
§ Baroness BlatchIt is an important part of the Government's policy on immigration to continue to admit the spouses and minor dependent children of refugees and people settled here. The Immigration Rules provide accordingly.
There is no provision in the Rules for family reunion for those who do not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee, but asylum seekers who are allowed to remain exceptionally may apply to be joined by their immediate family after four years.