HC Deb 02 April 2003 vol 402 cc757-8W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied children and young people up to the age of 16 years old have been refused entry into the UK in each of the last three years. [105267]

Beverley Hughes

The information requested is not available. Published statistics of those people refused leave to enter the UK and subsequently removed include unaccompanied minors although they are not separately identifiable. The information would therefore only be available by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.

However, as a matter of policy, unaccompanied children are not removed under Immigration Act powers unless we aresatisfied that suitable arrangements have been made for their reception and care in the destination country.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks are made by immigration officials relating to unaccompanied children and young people, as to the reason why entry is being sought; and if he will make a statement. [105268]

Beverley Hughes

Anyone seeking entry to the United Kingdom who is not an EU/EEA national is subject to immigration control and must therefore satisfy the immigration officer that they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Unaccompanied children and young people under the age of 18 are no exception to this requirement, and will be seen by an immigration officer on arrival at United Kingdom ports and airports. Their age and the fact that they are travelling alone mean that special care is taken when they are interviewed. In seeking to establish whether entry is appropriate, the immigration officer may make checks with any relatives or sponsors in the United Kingdom, and against any address the child might have given as their intended residence whilst in the United Kingdom.

Should the unaccompanied minor seek asylum on arrival in the United Kingdom then there are well established procedures in place to ensure that the child is dealt with where possible by immigration officers specially trained to interview children. Social services are notified so that adequate care can be arranged in the absence of any family in the United Kingdom and the Refugee Council's Children's Panel act as the independent advisor to the child during the processing of the asylum claim.