§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants awaiting 499W processing of (a) immigration and asylum claims and (b) appeals, are qualified veterinary surgeons; and if he will list the countries of origin involved. [155436]
§ Mrs. RocheThe information requested is not held centrally and not systematically collected as part of the immigration and asylum application process and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.
A foreign national wishing to practise as a veterinary surgeon needs a work permit. Information on the number of applications for work permits from veterinary surgeons awaiting decision in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) is not held centrally, but the number is likely to be very small. Arrangements have been made with the Department for Education and Employment for such applications to be highlighted and on arrival in IND they will be processed as a matter of priority.
The criteria for recognition as a refugee, and hence the granting of asylum, are set out in the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, extended in its application by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. The United Kingdom considers all asylum applications against these criteria and not on an applicant's occupation.