HC Deb 11 December 2002 vol 396 cc366-7W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those presenting themselves at each port of entry were seeking to reside in Britain in each of the past 10 years. [86745]

Beverley Hughes

The information available is on passengers (excluding EEA nationals) admitted to the United Kingdom, rather than on those presenting themselves at ports. A very small proportion of those admitted are granted settlement (permanent residency) on arrival and they are clearly seeking to reside in the UK. However, the vast majority of non-visitors are given limited leave to remain for periods of up to between one and five years. It is difficult to know at the port of entry how many of these will ultimately seek to settle in the UK as once in country, subject to immigration rules, they may extend their leave to remain and subsequently apply for settlement.

The table shows the total number of persons admitted to the UK, excluding EEA nationals, over the last 10 years. It also shows the numbers admitted in categories that might eventually lead to settlement.

Corresponding information on admissions at each of the ports of entry (of which there are more than 40) in each of the past 10 years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Passengers given leave to enter the UK, excluding EEA nationals1,1992–2001
Number of journeys
Passengers admitted in categories which might lead to settlement
Year Total admissions Granted settlement on arrival2 Work permit holders and their dependants UK ancestry Spouses and fiancé(e)s Others given leave to enter3
1992 9,160,000 5,320 51,140 4,645 20,740 57,200
1993 9,840,000 3,620 48,000 4,075 19,220 54,500
1994 9,180,000 2,610 47,500 5,170 18,760 44,900
1995 9,620,000 2,400 52,100 6,625 19,110 43,800
1996 10,300,000 2,120 58,200 7,420 20,950 45,100
1997 10,900,000 2,350 62,975 8,350 26,385 49,400
1998 11,500,000 2,900 68,385 10,220 32,165 50,400
1999 12,000,000 2,530 76,180 11,785 30,250 55,400
2000 13,000,000 2,290 92,045 10,930 32,970 54,100
2001 12,800,000 2,820 108,825 10,635 29,100 78,300
1 EEA nationals are free to enter and to remain in the UK without requiring leave to do so.
2 Excludes asylum related cases given indefinite leave to enter; these are included in 'Others given leave to enter'.
3 Includes: common law spouses; children given leave as dependants of settled parents; investors; retired persons of independent means; same sex partners admitted for a probationary year; dependants of persons granted admission through UK ancestry; persons who have applied for asylum at ports (and their accompanying dependants) and who have been granted asylum or exceptional leave, and are hence given leave to enter; and others.

Notes:

1. The data given are of the number of journeys made: a person who makes more than one journey is counted on each occasion, either in a specific category if given fresh leave to enter or as passengers returning.

2. Data rounded to the nearest five or three significant figures.