§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum absconders are currently recorded on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's port and enforcement databases. [96050]
§ Mrs. RocheThe latest available information dates from the end of 1998. At that time, there were approximately 20,000 asylum absconders recorded on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) enforcement and port databases comprising around 12,000 in-country enforcement and 8,000 port absconders. This information was taken from a snapshot of the IND port and enforcement databases of those persons (excluding dependants) who have applied for asylum at some stage and who have breached conditions of temporary admission, temporary release or restriction order, or are otherwise found to be out of contact with IND.