HL Deb 27 February 2002 vol 631 c247WA
Baroness Cox

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the Afghans who landed at Stansted in February 2000 in a hijacked aircraft are still in Britain; and what is their immigration status. [HL2848]

Lord Rooker

Of the 170 people who arrived on the aircraft, 81 including the flight crew, returned to Afghanistan. Thirteen of the passengers, together with their 21 dependants, have asylum applications that are still undecided. This group includes the convicted hijackers. Thirty passengers with five dependants were refused asylum but remain in the United Kingdom pending the outcome of their appeal to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. Six passengers and 12 dependants have been granted refugee status; and two passengers wish to return to Afghanistan as soon as suitable travel arrangements can be made.