§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons from(a) Slovakia and (b) the Czech Republic have been awarded (i) refugee status and (ii) exceptional leave to remain since May 1997; and, of these, how many achieved this status following an appeal. [61683]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienFor the period May 1997-October-1998, the number of initial asylum decisions made for nationals of Slovakia was 535. For that same period, the number of initial decisions made for nationals of the Czech Republic was 310. Of these, none of the above nationals was recognised as a refugee. Nor were any Slovak or Czech nationals granted exceptional leave to remain.
Manually collected records show that six Slovakian nationals were recognised as refugees following allowed appeals. A further two were granted exceptional leave to remain on compassionate grounds, following additional representations made in their cases, after an initial
Date Destination Purpose Numbers accompanying Minister November 1998 Blackpool To attend Association of Police Authorities Conference 3 December 1998 Brussels (return to Blackpool) Justice and Home Affairs Council 5 The average cost for these two additional flights was £1,451.50.