§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the three week consultation period on new legislative proposals on asylum reform to the minimum stipulated by Criterion 5 of Cabinet Office Guidelines on written consultations. [137245]
§ Beverley HughesAs my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary first announced on 22 May this year, the Government are intending to introduce further legislative measures to address the specific problems of abusive appeals and undocumented applicants in the asylum system which continue to undermine the credibility of the system. As stated in the letter we sent to stakeholders, we consider that these are urgent measures and are therefore seeking to introduce them as soon as parliamentary time allows. While we are seeking the views of key stakeholders on the new provisions we believe that further reform is needed quickly if we are to capitalise on the success of our measures to date. Further dialogue is taking place with stakeholders on specific measures and a copy of the letter to stakeholders has been placed on the website of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate so that it is available to the public.
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