HC Deb 27 July 1998 vol 317 c34W
Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries were made in respect of criminal convictions in Bahraini courts before the decision was taken to grant refugee status to Sheikh Ali Salman, Hamaz Ali Jasim Kadhem and Sayed Haider Hasan Ali; with what result; and if he will make a statement. [52558]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

When considering the cases of the named individuals, the Home Office was aware of their convictions in absentia by the Bahraini courts for a variety of offences.

Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was made to grant refugee status to Sheikh Ali Salman, Hamaz Ali Jasim Kadhem and Sayed Haider Hasan Ali; what were the grounds for their applications; what supporting evidence was produced; and what information was sought from the Bahraini authorities. [52557]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Refugee status was granted to the named individuals on 15 July 1998. As information provided by asylum applicants in support of their applications is confidential, I cannot disclose any details of the basis of the claims they made or the consideration which was given to those claims.