§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) an extension of stay and (b) asylum, have been received from Kosovan refugees in the United Kingdom in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of each have been granted. [122732]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 18 May 2000]: The information currently available relates to the 4,346 Kosovans who were evacuated to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme. Since March 2000, 190 principal applicants have sought an extension of exceptional leave to enter, 45 have applied for asylum and 70 have applied for both exceptional leave and asylum. These applications are currently under consideration.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make decisions on applications for(a) extensions of leave to remain and (b) asylum, made by Kosovans who went to Scotland on the Humanitarian Evacuation programme and whose exceptional leave to remain expired on 9 May; and if he will make a statement. [123330]
§ Mrs. RocheWe have set in place special arrangements to identify and deal as quickly as possible with applications from Kosovans who came to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation programme, but we do not identify cases on the basis of where applicants have been living in the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial and other assistance is to be given to those Kosovan families returning to Kosovo from Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [123332]
§ Mrs. RocheThe current voluntary return programme from the United Kingdom began on 26 July 1999 and will end on 25 June 2000. The Programme is open both to Kosovans who arrived under the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Humanitarian Evacuation Programme and those who arrived independently. It is open to Kosovans in all parts of the United Kingdom.
For humanitarian and economic reasons, it was decided to give a relocation grant of 720 Deutchmark (DM) per person (approximately £250), payable on arrival in Kosovo, to all those who chose to go back under the return programme. That grant was increased to 1,300 DM 492W per person (approximately £400) with effect from the flight on 5 May. Arrangements have also been made to transport larger possessions overland to Kosovo. This will enable Kosovans to take back, for example, household goods and building materials, which they have bought or been given, and which they cannot take on an aeroplane.
In order to benefit from the grant and the overland transport of goods, Kosovans must register for return by 10 June and leave the United Kingdom on one of the organised voluntary return flights by 25 June.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether, during the period prior to an appeal being assessed Kosovans residing in East Lothian and Renfrewshire will be allowed to remain in their current local authority rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement; [123331]
(2) what financial assistance will be made available to Kosovans who wish to appeal against a refusal of extension to exceptional leave to remain; and if he will make a statement. [123329]
§ Mrs. RocheWe have no plans to set up any special arrangements for support of such cases. Depending on the circumstances of each case, those who appeal against a refusal of further leave will be eligible for support and accommodation in accordance with existing arrangements.