§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timescale is for the replacement of SALS for asylum applicants with identity cards; and if he will make a statement. [31945]
§ Angela EagleApplicants Registration Cards (ARC) were first issued to new asylum seekers on 31 January 2002. The ARC will replace the standard acknowledgement letter (SAL) and will be initially issued to new asylum applicants as they apply for asylum. The issuing of ARCs is to be undertaken in a range of locations throughout the country from March 2002, ensuring that all new asylum applicants receive an ARC as the technology is established.
The asylum audit, planned in the new financial year, will undertake the replacement of the SAL with a new ARC. It will be completed as soon as possible. ARC issue is just one of a number of tasks to be undertaken within the audit, for those applicants already in the asylum system.