§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if asylum seekers who applied between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 and who have convictions for offences resulting in a sentence of(a) imprisonment of less than 12 months and (b) a community service order will be eligible for the process of determining asylum applications set out in paragraph 8.30 of "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum"; [64685]
(2) what plans he has for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to ascertain which asylum seekers whose applications were made before 31 December 1995 have convictions for offences resulting in a sentence of (a) imprisonment of less than 12 months and (b) a community service order. [64687]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienUnder the procedure set out in para. 8.30 of the White Paper CM4018, every undecided application for asylum made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 will be examined individually to see whether the applicant qualifies for asylum or for leave to remain on some other ground, both in relation to the usual criteria and in relation to the presence of factors associated with the delay in deciding the case. Where there is information suggesting that the applicant's presence in the United Kingdom would not be conducive to the public good, including any information about criminal convictions, this will be taken into account when considering the application.
The arrangements by which the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) is notified of criminal convictions and recommendations for deportation made by a court are those set out in the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 8 December 1998, Official Report, column 117. Officials are examining these arrangements to consider whether IND should routinely be notified where someone subject to immigration control is convicted of an offence resulting in a sentence of 87W imprisonment of less than 12 months or a community service order. I have asked them to report their conclusions in due course.
§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the individuals and organisations that responded to the White Paper on Asylum and Immigration; and, for those who did not indicate that they did not wish their submissions to be published, when he intends to make those responses available. [65073]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 726.