HC Deb 19 September 2003 vol 410 cc1205-9W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money Havering borough council was given to deal with asylum seekers in(a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [128729]

Beverley Hughes

The information is not available in the exact format requested. The Home Office assumed responsibility for the budget for adult asylum seekers and their dependants in April 1999 and for unaccompanied asylum seeking children in April 2000. Between 1996–97 and 1998–99 the Department of Health was responsible for special grant payments to local authorities to meet the direct costs of providing support. Total spending by the Department of Health for 1996–97 was £10 million for adults and families and £2 million for children. The total figures for 1997–98 are £68 million for adults and families and £2 million for children.

The figures for the grant paid to Havering borough council for the financial years ending 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 are as follows:

£
Year to 31 March Adults and families Unaccompanied asylum seeking children
2002 12,347,950 1875,095
2003 21,693,289 2493,136

1 Audited

2 Subject to audit.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum applications from people residing in Romford were declined in each year since 1995; [128730]

(2) how many asylum seekers were sent to live in Havering in each year from 1995 to 2002; [128731]

(3) how many registered asylum seekers are residing in the Romford constituency; [128732]

(4) how many claims for asylum were made from people whose address was in Romford during 2002. [128733]

Beverley Hughes

The information is not available in the form requested.

The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or are supporting themselves.

Figures in respect of persons in receipt of accommodation support from NASS (those who have been dispersed or are disbenefited1 cases) are available by local authority as at the end of each Quarter since December 2002. Figures for Havering show that for the quarters ending December 2002, March 2003 and June 2003 only one or two people were in receipt of NASS accommodation support.

Information in respect of the number of asylum seekers by constituency area, number of asylum applications by area of residence and refusals of asylum by area of residence are not currently published. 1 Disbenefited cases are cases which were previously supported under the main UK benefits system and have been moved onto NASS support. Some of these cases have remained in the original social services accommodation.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been(a) found guilty of committing crimes carrying a custodial sentence, (b) released and given leave to remain in the country and (c) deported after release in each year since 1997. [129107]

Beverley Hughes

The information requested on the number of asylum applicants found guilty of crimes subject to a custodial sentence, and for those who were granted leave to remain or who were deported after release from such sentences, is not available.

We take very seriously any criminal or anti-social acts committed by asylum seekers. Although there is no evidence to suggest that asylum seekers are disproportionately likely to commit crime, we have taken powers in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to prevent serious criminals using the protection of the 1951 Refugee Convention. We will seek to remove such criminals from the United Kingdom wherever possible.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications had been awaiting an initial decision for more than(a) six months and (b) 12 months at the latest date for which figures are available. [129469]

Beverley Hughes

As at the end of June 2003 (the latest date for which published figures are available), the estimated number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision for more than six months was 22,900. Of these an estimated 15,700 cases had been awaiting an initial decision for more than 12 months. These figures include cases that are currently under consideration.

Provisional data show that 74 per cent. of applications (excluding withdrawals and third country cases) received in 2002–03 were decided and served within two months. This exceeded the Government's target of 65 per cent. for 2002–03, and was a significant increase on the corresponding figure of 61 per cent. for 2001–02.

Information on the number of asylum applications outstanding and the timeliness of initial decisions is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's latest estimate is of the number of asylum applicants in the UK without any official financial support. [129913]

Beverley Hughes

The requested information is not available.

It is estimated that during 2002, around 73 per cent. of asylum seekers eligible for National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support chose to apply, with the remainder supporting themselves.

Statistics on the number of asylum seekers who are supported by NASS are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immiggrationl.html.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of asylum applications in each of the last six years was decided within two months. [130480]

Beverley Hughes

Provisional data show that 74 per cent. of substantive applications (excluding withdrawals and 3rd country cases1) received in 2002–03 were decided and served within two months. This exceeded the Government's target of 65 per cent. for 2002–03, and was a significant increase on the corresponding figure of 61 per cent. for 2001–02 which was achieved against the then target of 60 per cent. Corresponding data for previous years is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Information on the timeliness of initial decisions is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl. html. 1Cases which may be the responsibility of other EU member states under the Dublin Convention.

Mr. Matins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a decision has been made on the asylum application of Dr. Boris Berezovsky; and if he will make a statement. [130865]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 18 September 2003]: Dr. Berezovsky was granted asylum in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2003. It would be inappropriate to make any further statement on this matter.

Mr. Matins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on asylum applications lodged by an individual after extradition proceedings have begun against that individual. [130867]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 18 September 2003]: An asylum application made by an individual who is the subject of extradition proceedings initiated by the authorities in their country of origin would be considered in accordance with the standard criteria for assessing such applications. This would include consideration of whether information contained in the extradition request provided grounds for excluding the individual from the protection of the Refugee Convention. A decision would be taken as quickly as possible. We would not return to a state requesting extradition an individual who has an outstanding asylum application against return to that state.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mr. G. Qosja, reference Q1006624, will receive confirmation of the result of his appeal hearing in October 2002; and what the reasons are for the delay. [131039]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 18 September 2003]: I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 September 2003.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been issued with application registration cards since October 2001. [131056]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 18 September 2003]: Up to the end of August 2003, approximately 150,000 Application Registration Cards had been issued. The Application Registration Card (ARC) was first issued on 31 January 2002.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a standard acknowledgement letter was last issued to an asylum applicant. [131057]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 18 September 2003]: The Government are committed to ensuring that all asylum seekers and dependants are issued with Application Registration Cards. Consequently, there are on-going measures to ensure that Standard Acknowledgement Letters, which have been issued to asylum seekers, are replaced with Application Registration Cards.

No statistics are held showing when Standard Acknowledgement Letters have been issued.

Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report on the provision of policing in the event of the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent being used as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. [131269]

Beverley Hughes

The Home Office has not commissioned any such report.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the application by Nataliya Peacock, reference P1062430, for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom made on 13 December 2002, will be decided; and what the reasons are for the delay. [131390]

Beverley Hughes

Mrs. Peacock will receive a decision within four weeks.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the total number of failed asylum seekers was represented by those removed in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [130479]

Beverley Hughes

Including dependants, there were 11,600 asylum removals in 2001–02 and a record 14,400 asylum removals in 2002–03. The numbers of asylum removals continued to rise in April-June (Q2) 2003 to a record quarterly total of 4,280. These figures include removals relating to applications made in earlier years.

The information requested is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.