§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and refugees are residing in the Eastbourne area. [107600]
§ Mrs. RocheThis information is not available. Central Government do not keep records of the number of asylum seekers residing in a particular location.
§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time taken to determine asylum applications from asylum seekers who submitted their applications in 1991. [107294]
§ Mrs. RocheIt is estimated that the average length of time taken to reach an initial decision on an asylum application lodged in 1991 was 25 months.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions have been made to date as a result of the measures announced in the White Paper, "Fairer Faster and Firmer", on asylum applications made(a) between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 and (b) before 1 July 1993; and how many of these resulted in (i) a grant of asylum, (ii) exceptional leave to remain and (iii) refusal. [107109]
§ Mrs. RocheThe requested information is given in the table.
§ Mrs. RocheIt is not our policy to refuse to accept recommendations made by adjudicators in dismissed or withdrawn appeals. We will act on such recommendations where the written determination discloses clear exceptional compassionate circumstances which have not previously been considered and which would merit an exercise of discretion outside the Immigration Rules. We have no plans to review this policy following the judgment in the case of R.v. Secretary of State for the Home Department ex-Parte Ali.