HL Deb 26 November 2001 vol 629 cc2-4WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give a breakdown of the 79,000 applications for asylum received in the past financial year showing:

  1. (a) the countries of origin;
  2. (b) the number who applied for asylum at the border and those who made in-country applications;
    3. WA3
  3. (c) the number entering the United Kingdom by air, by ship and by land (via Channel Tunnel); and
  4. (d) of those making in-country applications, how many were discovered by the authorities and how many surrendered to the authorities voluntarily. [HL1046]

Lord Rooker

A breakdown of the 79,125 applications for asylum to the UK in the financial year 2000–01, by area and nationality, is provided below (Table: Applications for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality, 2000–01).

Information on the total numbers of asylum applicants entering the UK by air, by ship and by land (via the Channel Tunnel) is unavailable. Data are available on applications at ports, and are provided below (Table: Total asylum claims at port of entry, 2000–01).

Information on the numbers of in-country applicants discovered by the authorities or who surrendered to the authorities voluntarily is not currently recorded and is therefore unavailable.

Applications1 for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality, April 2000-March 2001
Applied at port Applied in-country Number of principal applicants Total
Europe
Albania 250 1,430 1,680
Czech Republic 900 75 975
FRY2 600 3,945 4,545
Poland 410 420 830
Romania 260 1,650 1,910
Russia 65 720 780
Turkey 2,185 1,915 4,100
Ukraine 115 520 640
Other Former USSR 360 1,485 1,845
Other Former Yugoslavia 80 2,475 2,555
Others 170 300 470
Total 5,390 14,940 20,330
Americas
Colombia 105 225 325
Ecuador 65 230 300
Others 130 360 490
Total 300 815 1,115
Middle East
Iran 1,330 4,985 6,310
Iraq 2,105 6,625 8,730
Others 510 780 1,290
Total 3,940 12,385 16,330
Africa
Algeria 285 1,240 1,525
Angola 205 590 795
Democratic Republic of Congo 395 560 955
Ethiopia 130 340 470
Gambia 10 40 50
Ghana 100 165 265
Ivory Coast 60 355 415
Kenya 115 225 345
Nigeria 275 460 740
Rwanda 105 615 720

Applications1 for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality, April 2000-March 2001
Applied at port Applied in-country Number of principal applicants Total
Sierra Leone 580 870 1,450
Somalia 1,095 4,280 5,375
Sudan 200 230 430
Tanzania 25 45 70
Uganda 45 490 535
Zimbabwe 1,005 240 1,250
Others 765 1,875 2,640
Total 5,400 12,625 18,025
Asia
Afghanistan 2,780 3,435 6,215
Bangladesh 200 520 720
China 1,695 1,490 3,185
India 455 1,720 2,175
Pakistan 790 2,070 2,860
Sri Lanka 4,000 2,340 6,340
Others 245 1,035 1,280
Total 10,155 12,615 22,775
Other and unknown nationalities 265 290 555
Grand Total 25,455 53,675 79,125
1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with (*) = 1 or 2.
2 Includes applications from Other Yugoslavia.

Total Asylum Claims at Ports of Entry, 2000–01:1
Total
Heathrow 7,765
Dover East 4,835
Waterloo 4,810
Gatwick 2,870
Cheriton 1,300
Stansted 865
Harwich 240
Manchester 210
Hull 160
London City 155
Ashford 145
Portsmouth 130
Felixstowe 110
Tees Ports 95
Birmingham 70
Luton 65
Newcastle/North Shields 25
Dover Hoverport 15
Edinburgh 15
Poole 10
Aberdeen 10
Belfast 5
Bristol 5
Plymouth 5
Liverpool 5
Southampton 5
Swansea 5
Folkestone 5
Leeds Bradford *
Norwich *
Newhaven *
West Midlands *
Cardiff *
1 All data are provisional and rounded to nearest 5, where * ═1 or 2