§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Zimbabwean citizens applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in November and December 2000 and in January 2001 respectively; of these how many were detained in Oakington, and how many were transferred to prisons or detention centres at the end of their stay in Oakington. [HL1150]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe number of applications for asylum received from Zimbabwe nationals in November 2000, December 2000 and January 2001 was 130, 145 and 125 respectively. From this total of 400 applications, there were 5,564 and 86 applicants from the respective months who had their cases considered at Oakington Reception Centre. Fifty-two applicants were subsequently transferred to prisons or detention centres on leaving Oakington.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Home Office has not published a country assessment on Zimbabwe. [HL1151]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonAs announced in response to a Question from the noble Lord, Lord Kirkhill, on 12 May 1998 (WA 123), the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Country Information and Policy Unit produces assessments on the top 35 asylum producing countries in the United Kingdom. The assessments are revised and updated periodically; approximately every six months depending on the reported circumstances of the country concerned. The assessments were last revised in October 2000.
The number of applications for asylum from Zimbabwean nationals rose during 2000 to the extent that Zimbabwe now comes within the top 35 asylum producing countries in the United Kingdom. An assessment for Zimbabwe is therefore to be prepared and will be published in April when country assessments are next due to be revised.