§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Government during their presidency of the EU to promote discussion on problems caused by the flow of asylum seekers through the EU; and if he will make a statement. [39984]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe United Kingdom Presidency is promoting discussion in the European Union of a wide range of issues relating to asylum seekers. In particular, under the Presidency, member states have adopted a comprehensive Action Plan on the influx of migrants from Iraq and the neighbouring region. Under this Action Plan, the Presidency is taking forward a number of measures aimed at ensuring that those in genuine need of protection receive it and to prevent abuse of asylum procedures in the European Union.
In addition, the Presidency is seeking to secure agreement on a programme of action designed to improve the operation of the Dublin Convention. This Convention governs arrangements for determining which member state should be responsible for examining asylum claims made in the European Union.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria used by an immigration officer to decide if an interview with an unaccompanied child seeking asylum is unavoidable. [39847]
190W
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA child will not be interviewed about the substance of his claim to refugee status if it is possible to obtain, by written inquiries or from other sources, sufficient information properly to determine the claim. In the vast majority of cases, the required information is obtained without an interview. In those rare cases where an interview is deemed necessary it will be conducted only in the presence of an independent adult, and by an immigration officer who has received specialist training.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures must be followed by an immigration officer when an unaccompanied child arrives at a port of entry seeking asylum. [39858]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWhen an unaccompanied child arrives at the immigration control a brief interview is undertaken to establish age, the basis upon which entry is sought, and whether anyone has accompanied the child on the journey or is meeting him/her. If the child is an asylum seeker the Refugee Council's Panel of Advisers for Refugee Children is notified without delay, and the child is issued with a self-completion asylum questionnaire. Temporary admission is normally granted, and if the child has nobody to turn to in the United Kingdom, the social services are contacted. It is not the practice of the Immigration Service to detain a child for longer than absolutely necessary before passing the child to the responsible adult or social services.