§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees have been admitted into the United Kingdom since 24 March; and in which local authority areas they have been accommodated. [82063]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIt is not possible to identify the number of genuine refugees who have been admitted to the United Kingdom. Those seeking asylum are granted temporary admission to the country while their application is considered. Only after consideration of their claim can a decision be made to recognise the applicant as a refugee.
Information on the number of asylum seekers arriving since 24 March is not available. But in the whole of March a total of 5,060 applications were received of which 3,150 were lodged in-country and 1,910 were made at the port of entry. Information on the local authority areas in which they are accommodated is not held centrally.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the United Kingdom has placed a limit on the number of refugees it is prepared to accept as a result of the Kosovo crisis. [82084]