§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the practical effect upon determination of immigration and asylum appeals of the computer problems currently experienced by the Immigration and Nationality Department, and what is the likely backlog in taking decisions and disposing of appeals anticipated to result from these difficulties. [HL2412]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The Immigration and Nationality Department's computer problems have meant that fewer decisions have been taken and so there have been fewer appeals to the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA). The IAA has therefore been able to dispose of substantially more cases than it has received and so reduce the number of outstanding appeals. Waiting times for pending and new appeals are now about six weeks from receipt at the IAA and any case can be heard within four weeks. The IAA has in place plans to expand as the number of appeals recovers so that waiting times do not deteriorate from the present levels. Senior officials from all the departments involved are co-operating to ensure that these plans work.