HL Deb 05 March 2001 vol 623 c1WA
Lord Greaves

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What legal means exist for persons suffering persecution to travel to the United Kingdom for the purposes of claiming asylum, from (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq, (c) Iran, (d) Eritrea or Ethopia, (e) Sierra Leone, (f) Zimbabwe, (g) Sri Lanka. [HL785]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)

Entry Clearance Officers have discretion to accept, outside the Immigration Rules, an application for entry clearance to come to the United Kingdom where a foreign national demonstrates that his or her circumstances meet the definition of the 1951 Convention, that he or she has close ties with the United Kingdom, and where the United Kingdom is the most appropriate country of long-term refuge. Such applications are referred to the Home Office for consideration and, if appropriate, authorisation of Entry Clearance. A temporary Travel Document may be issued by the post abroad to facilitate travel to the United Kingdom.