§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many asylum seekers have entered the sovereign base areas in Cyprus in the last 12 months; how many remain; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this issue. [52976]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 29 April 2002]: Five asylum seekers have entered the Sovereign Base Areas since 29 April 2001, one of whom remains there. The current total of refugees and asylum seekers in the Sovereign Base Areas numbers 95 individuals from a total of 165 who have arrived since October 1998. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration applies the principles of the refugee convention when dealing with asylum seekers and acts in close cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus.
Discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Cyprus regarding the long term future of the Sovereign Base Area's refugees and asylum seekers, and the arrangements for handling new arrivals, are continuing.