§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 23 February (H.L. Deb., col. 225), whether they consider that (a) every asylum seeker in Europe should have access to a fair and effective decision-making procedure which is independent, impartial, well-informed and sufficiently resourced; (b) reasoned decisions should be taken promptly; and (c) asylum and refuge should be accorded both to refugees within the meaning of the 1951 convention and to others to whom European states owe a duty of protection. [HL1258]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe Government's policy towards asylum issues in Europe is aimed at ensuring that those in genuine need of protection receive it, while those who are misusing asylum procedures in order to circumvent immigration controls are dealt with quickly and firmly. The Amsterdam Treaty requires measures to be adopted that establish minimum standards for the asylum process, including protection outside the 1951 convention on refugees. The United Kingdom will be in a position to decide whether or not to participate in such measures.