§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded asylum seekers entered the United Kingdom in 2001 who were(a) under and (b) over 18 years. [29686]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 January 2002]: I regret that reliable information on the entry routes of asylum seekers, including when asylum seekers first enter the United Kingdom (UK), is not available. In 2000 more than two thirds of applications (68 per cent.) were made in-country (that is by people who had already entered the UK). Annual figures for 2001 are not yet available.
Between January and August 2001, inclusive, 1,334 applications for asylum were lodged at UK ports by unaccompanied children under the age of 18. During the same period, it is estimated that over 16,000 applications were lodged at ports by principal applicants aged 18 or more.
Information on unaccompanied minors is published annually in the statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom", a copy of which is available in the Library, and from the RDS website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the countries of origin were of asylum seekers who entered the UK in 2001. [29687]
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§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 January 2002]: I regret that reliable information on the entry routes of asylum seekers, including when asylum seekers first enter the United Kingdom, is not available. However, information on the nationality of asylum seekers who applied at port and in-country between January and September 2001, inclusive, is given in the table. Annual figures for 2001 are not yet available.
Information on asylum applications and initial decisions is published quarterly. The next publication will present data for the final quarter of 2001, and will be available from 28 February 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
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Applications1 for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality, January to September 2001, inclusive Number of principal applicants Applied at port Applied in-country Total Europe Albania 140 715 855 Czech Republic 750 60 810 FRY2 155 1,420 1,575 Poland 305 155 460 Romania 125 920 1,045 Russia 45 290 335 Turkey 1,330 1,525 2,855 Ukraine 79 265 340 Other Former USSR 195 695 890 Other Former Yugoslavia 45 1,440 1,485 Others 105 135 240 Total 3,270 7,615 10,890 Americas Colombia 35 180 215 Ecuador 20 145 165 Others 110 260 370 Total 165 585 750 Middle east Iran 885 1,765 2,650 Iraq 2,150 2,725 4,875 Others 250 505 750 Total 3,285 4,995 8,280 Africa Algeria 230 650 880 Angola 140 570 715 Democratic Republic of Congo 225 650 870 Ethiopia 70 390 460 Gambia 10 30 35 Ghana 45 70 115 Ivory Coast 35 170 205 Kenya 45 165 210 Nigeria 255 175 430 Rwanda 60 345 405 Sierra Leone 655 790 1,445 Somalia 680 4,350 5,030 Sudan 125 170 290 Tanzania 15 45 60 Uganda 35 270 305 Zimbabwe 860 365 1,225 Others 495 1,480 1,975 Total 3,970 10,695 14,665 Asia Afghanistan 4,165 2,650 6,815 Bangladesh 80 250 330 China 1,240 335 1,575 India 300 980 1,275 Pakistan 510 1,480 1,990
Applications1for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality, January to September 2001, inclusive Number of principal applicants Applied at port Applied in-country Total Sri Lanka 2,110 1,930 4,035 Others 280 635 915 Total 8,685 8,255 16,940 Other and unknown nationalities 375 260 635 Grant total 19,750 32,405 52,155 1 Figures rounded to nearest five, and are provisional 2 Includes applications from other Yugo.
§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent advice he has received from Merseyside police concerning the future housing of asylum seekers at Landmark and Inn on the Park in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement, [30732]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 January 2002]: Ministers have received two recent letters from Merseyside police about the use of the Landmark and Inn on the Park buildings to house asylum seekers.
Officials are looking into the matters raised in these letters, and in the meantime dispersal of asylum seekers to these buildings remains suspended.