§ Viscount Exmouthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn of 27 October (WA 229), whether they are seeking reimbursement for the cost of housing, processing and repatriating immigrants and asylum seekers entering the United Kingdom from the embassies of their countries of origin; and, if so, whether any revenue obtained will be applied to the restructuring of immigration controls.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)There are no powers to do so. Although many asylum seekers are found to be economic migrants, it would not be right and would be contrary to existing agreements to notify their national authorities that they had claimed asylum.