HC Deb 29 March 1999 vol 328 cc510-1W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals were made to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal against decisions of an immigration adjudicator in cases in which he has made a decision to deport in the last year for which figures are available. [78616]

Mr. Hoon

This information is not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many adjudications are required to deal with appeals against entry clearance refusals; and what estimate he has made of the number needed in each of the next five years. [78690]

Mr. Hoon

The information provided is based on the assumption that it is the number of adjudicators, and not adjudications, that is required. There are 50 full-time and 200 part-time adjudicators and approximately 17 per cent. of their time, equivalent to 2,500 sitting days per year, is spent on appeals against decisions by entry clearance officers. Current plans for the next three years assume that 1,750 days will be necessary per year, rising to 2,250 when the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill for appeals against refusals of visas for family visits, if approved by Parliament are implemented. No forecasts have been made beyond the next three years.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average waiting time for an adjudicator to determine an appeal against refusal to(a) vary and (b) extend leave to remain. [78624]

Mr. Hoon

Data of this nature in the categories requested is not retained by the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA). The Immigration Appellate Authority are able to list appeals before adjudicators within approximately 6–8 weeks. Decisions are then typed and sent out. On average this takes 5 weeks.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many of the asylum appeals remitted by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal to the special adjudicator the appeal was allowed by the special adjudicator in each of the last five years. [78675]

Mr. Hoon

This information is not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average time for a special adjudicator to determine an asylum case remitted to him from the immigration tribunal from the time the case is remitted in the last year for which figures are available. [78678]

Mr. Hoon

The Immigration Appellate Authority are currently able (as at 24 March 1999) to list appeals heard by the Tribunal (both asylum and non asylum) but remitted back to an adjudicator, for hearing within approximately 6–8 weeks. Decisions are then typed and sent out. On average this takes 5 weeks.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average waiting time for(a) a decision on leave to appeal and (b) the determination of the appeal itself in the case of appeals against refusals to vary or extend leave to remain from an adjudicator to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [78644]

Mr. Hoon

Specific data in the form requested are not retained by the Immigration Appellate Authority.