HC Deb 16 December 2002 vol 396 cc641-2W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he has taken of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office document "Saddam Hussein: Crimes and human rights abuses" in determining asylum applications from Iraqis; how many Iraqis await determination of their applications; what the(a) current average wait and (b) 20 longest waits for determination for present Iraqi asylum seekers; how many such asylum seekers are (i) in jail and (ii) in detention; how long each one has been there; whether he plans to change his Department's policy as a consequence of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office report; and if he will make a statement. [86230]

Beverley Hughes

As with all asylum applications, Iraqi cases are considered on their individual merits under the terms of the 1951 UN Convention, and in the light of up to date information from a wide variety of sources, including information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

We continue to monitor events in Iraq closely. We will keep under review our handling of asylum applications in light of any changes in country conditions.

Information on how many Iraqis are awaiting determination of their asylum applications, and the length of time they have been outstanding, is only available by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Published statistics on immigration detention are issued on a quarterly basis. The latest available data on asylum seekers held in detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers are for 28 September 2002 and are as follows:

Iraqi asylum seekers held solely under Immigration Act powers on 28 September 2002
By place of detention
Removal centres/immigration short term holding facilities 10
Prison Service establishments 5
Total 10
By length of detention
Less than 1 month 10
Between 1 and 6 months 5
Total 10

Notes:

Figures are rounded to the nearest five with * denoting 1 or 2. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

1. Persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers who are recorded as having sought asylum at some stage.

2. Length of detention information relates to current period of detention; where persons have been transferred to and subsequently from Oakington Reception Centre, excludes time in detention prior to the transfer from Oakington.