§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people who were(a) recognised as refugees, (b) granted exceptional leave and (c) refused asylum, in each year from 1991, were (i) female and (ii) male; [86121]
(2) how many asylum applicants in each year from 1991 were (a) female and (b) male. [86120]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe information requested is given in the table.
belongings of, (c) search the person of and (d) detain a citizen of the European Union or European Economic Area or their accompanying relatives. [86229]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienEuropean Economic Area (EEA) nationals are normally admitted to the United Kingdom on production of a valid passport or identity card as 435W evidence of nationality and identity, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994 and subject to Article 15(1) of the Order. Under Article 3(3) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994, a family member of an EEA national who is not himself an EEA national may in addition be required to hold an EEA family permit issued abroad.
Powers for immigration officers to question passengers arriving in the United Kingdom, whether they are citizens of the European Union, or European Economic Area, or their accompanying (third country) relatives, are contained in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971. Schedule 2 applies to the examination of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals in accordance with Article 20(2)(e) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994. Under paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971, a person who is examined under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 may be searched, and his belongings examined, and that person may be detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971.
The operation of immigration controls in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the Irish authorities.