HC Deb 06 June 1997 vol 295 c269W
Mrs. Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has given to the immigration authorities regarding the treatment of Albanian nationals already in the United Kingdom who have applied for asylum. [1526]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Since March, consideration of asylum applications by Albanian nationals and enforcement action in refused cases have been suspended. We are now satisfied that, while the situation remains tense and volatile in some parts of the country, the situation in other parts, including the capital Tirana, is sufficiently calm to make it safe to resume returns in appropriate cases. Consideration of outstanding asylum applications is also being resumed.