Asylum Seekers (Hansard, 8 December 1997)

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Algerians have sought asylum in the United Kingdom in 1997 to date; and how many have been(a) granted and (b) refused asylum. [18964]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
The information requested is given in the table.

Decisions on applications^1,2 for asylum in the United Kingdom from Algerian nationals, excluding dependants, in 1997 to date (January to October)

Number of principal applicants

Asylum applications 545

Total decisions³ 710

Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum 80

Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain⁴ ^*

Total refusals 630

¹ Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with ^"*" = 1 or 2.

² Provisional figures.

³ Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the period.

⁴ Usually granted for a year in the first instance, subject then to further review.

436W

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made with the review of asylum seekers procedures. [18929]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
The review team has made substantial progress and will shortly start drafting its report. Proposals will be submitted to Ministers in the new year.

Decisions on applications^1,2 for asylum in the United Kingdom from Algerian nationals, excluding dependants, in 1997 to date (January to October)
	Number of principal applicants
Asylum applications	545
Total decisions³	710
Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum	80
Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain⁴	^*
Total refusals	630
¹ Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with ^"*" = 1 or 2.
² Provisional figures.
³ Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the period.
⁴ Usually granted for a year in the first instance, subject then to further review.