Tamils (Hansard, 24 February 1997)

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Sri Lankan Tamils are in the United Kingdom having been granted political asylum; [16934]
(2) how many Sri Lankan Tamils are currently seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom. [16904]

§ Mr. Kirkhope
The available information is for all Sri Lankan nationals; no distinction is made in statistical records between Tamils and other Sri Lankans.
During 1996, five nationals of Sri Lanka were granted asylum in the United Kingdom and a further 25 were refused asylum but granted exceptional leave to remain. Information on the number granted asylum in earlier years is given in table 3.1 of the Home Office statistical bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, 1995" issue 9/96, a copy of which is in the Library. Information regarding those granted exceptional leave in earlier years is given in table 3.2 of the same publication. It is not known how many of those granted either asylum or exceptional leave have remained in the United Kingdom.
As at 31 December 1996, an estimated 2,895 Sri Lankan asylum seekers were awaiting an initial decision on their asylum applications.

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan Tamils, who are being held in(a) prison and (b) detention centres, are seeking political asylum; and if he will make a statement. [16933]

§ Mr. Kirkhope
The available information on all Sri Lankan asylum seekers held in detention, under sole Immigration Acts powers, is given in the table. No distinction is made in statistical records between Tamils and other Sri Lankans.
3W

Sri Lankan nationals recorded as being detained¹, who had sought asylum at some stage, by location of detention as at 31 January-3 February 1997²

Persons detained at

Category of person Her Majesty's prison Detention centre Total

Port cases 3 3 6

Persons subject to enforcement action³ 7 3 10

Total 10 6 16

¹ Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act, 1971.

² Enforcement cases are as at 31 January and port cases are as at 3 February.

³ Illegal entrants and persons subject to deportation action.

Sri Lankan nationals recorded as being detained¹, who had sought asylum at some stage, by location of detention as at 31 January-3 February 1997²
	Persons detained at
Category of person	Her Majesty's prison	Detention centre	Total
Port cases	3	3	6
Persons subject to enforcement action³	7	3	10
Total	10	6	16
¹ Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act, 1971.
² Enforcement cases are as at 31 January and port cases are as at 3 February.
³ Illegal entrants and persons subject to deportation action.