§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the initial salary payable to initial decision makers in asylum applications is; and how long the period of training is; [142156]
(2) what plans he has to increase and improve the salaries and training of initial decision makers in asylum cases. [142157]
§ Beverley HughesThe vast majority of initial decisions in asylum applications are made by Executive Officers. The initial salary of an executive officer is not less than £15,557 nationally. In London rates are higher and staff also receive a locational allowance. Pay levels are reviewed each year, and in addition, all fully effective and exceptionally effective staff receive a performance related progression increase. The Department has proposed increasing the initial salary to a minimum of £16,606 nationally with effect from 1 January 2004 and is also considering increases to locational allowances. All new initial decision makers in asylum applications receive intensive training, comprising an initial 11 day course on all aspects of asylum work, 13 days in a special mentoring unit, and a three day intensive interviewing course (which is followed up by a consolidation workshop after three months in post). All asylum decision makers receive continual support and mentoring from more experienced colleagues in a team working environment where the sharing and pooling of acquired expertise is actively encouraged. They also receive any additional training or mentoring860W necessitated by changes in legislation and procedures, and attend developmental presentations or seminars provided by organisations such as UNHCR and the Medical Foundation. The effectiveness of training is regularly evaluated to ensure it continues to match their induction and development needs.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with Scottish ministers concerning the impact on the Scottish Legal Aid Board of his asylum policies. [142733]
§ Beverley HughesLegal aid is a devolved function and it is for Scottish Ministers to decide how to address Scotland's needs in line with the overall UK policy on asylum. There have been no formal discussions with Scottish Ministers on this matter, although officials keep in touch with developments on both sides of the border.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from established churches in Scotland concerning his policy in relation to the detention of families with children in removal centres. [142762]
§ Beverley HughesOver the last few months we have received representations from both the Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland about the detention of families with children in removal centres.
The Bishop of Paisley made written representations in March and April, and I met with representatives of the Church and Nation Committee of the Church of Scotland at the end of October.
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals from immigrants based on their being either a victim of crime or fear of being a victim of crime in their own country where the effective rule of law is uncertain are outstanding; and how many there were in the last 12 months. [142185]
§ Beverley HughesI regret that the information requested is unavailable and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
Information on the number of such appeals awaiting determination, relating to cases based on the appellant being either a victim of crime or their having fear of being a victim of crime in their own country where the effective rule of law is uncertain, is not compiled.
Statistics on the number of asylum appeals awaiting determination are published quarterly. The most recent publication covering the third quarter of 2003 is now available from the Library of the House or on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1. html.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants in each of the last five years for which figures are 861W available were accompanied by dependants under the age of 18. [142580]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 8 December 2003]: The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records. The latest published figures (Asylum Statistics 2001) show estimates of between 13 per cent. in 1998 and 14 per cent. in 2001 of principal applicants had one or more dependants.
Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication will be available at the end of February 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at:http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether children of failed asylum seekers are entitled to free education in the state system. [143214]
§ Beverley HughesIt is a fundamental legal duty of local education authorities to ensure that education is available for all children of compulsory school age in their area appropriate to age, abilities and aptitudes and any special education needs they may have. This duty applies irrespective of a child's immigration status or rights of residence in a particular location. Children of failed asylum seekers are therefore entitled to attend school for as long as the family remain in the UK.