HC Deb 16 June 2004 vol 422 cc973-81W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 10 March 2004,Official Report, columns 1567–68W, on asylum and immigration, for what reasons people are referred to medical inspectors; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in referrals seen at Heathrow. [162221]

Mr. Browne

Under Schedule 2 paragraph 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 (c.77), immigration officers have the power to refer any individual who is subject to immigration control to a doctor for a medical examination at the port of entry.

Under paragraph 36 of the Immigration Rules (HC395 as amended) A person who intends to remain in the United Kingdom for more than 6 months should normally be referred to the Medical Inspector for examination. If he produces a medical certificate he should be advised to hand it to the Medical Inspector. Any person seeking entry who mentions health or medical treatment as a reason for his visit or who appears not to be in good mental or physical health, should also be referred to the Medical Inspector; and the Immigration Officer has discretion, which should be exercised sparingly, to refer for examination in any other case.

However, the long-standing policy (formalised by the 1992 Department of Health publication "Medical Examination under the Immigration Act 1971: Instructions to Medical Inspectors") is that normally only those who:

  1. (i) are seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom for 6 months or more and have come from countries where there is a high risk of having been exposed to infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis; or
  2. (ii) mention health or medical treatment as a reason for seeking entry to the United Kingdom, or appear unwell are referred for medical examination.

Only Heathrow and Gatwick have a permanent medical inspector. At other UK ports where there is no permanent medical inspector doctors are available on-call.

There has been no change in the policy for referral of passengers to the medical inspector. It is not possible to provide reasons for the increase in the numbers referred without conducting a full and detailed analysis which would be at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum to the UK have been made in each year since 1979, broken down by nationality. [177103]

Mr. Browne

The table shows the number of applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, by nationality, 1994–2003 the latest published data. Information for previous years is published in successive editions of the Home Office annual statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom", copies of which are available from the Library of the House, and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website it http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html. The nationalities provided in the publication have changed to some extent over the years, reflecting changes in the nationalities applying for asylum. Provision of a consistent set of data for all nationalities, for data back to 1979, would incur disproportionate cost.

Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1994–2003
Number of principal applicants
Nationality 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19992 20002 20013 20024 20034
Albania 75 110 105 445 560 1,310 1,490 1,065 1,150 595
Czech Republic 5 15 55 240 515 1,790 1,200 825 1,365 75
Macedonia n/a n/a 15 20 50 90 65 755 310 60
Moldova 5 10 * 20 25 180 235 425 820 375
Poland 360 1,210 900 565 1,585 1,860 1,015 615 990 95
Romania 355 770 455 605 1,015 1,985 2,160 1,400 1,210 545
Russia n/a n/a 205 180 185 685 1,000 450 295 285
SAM5 n/a n/a 400 1,865 7,395 11,465 6,070 3,230 2,265 805
Turkey 2,045 1,820 1,495 1,445 2,015 2,850 3,990 3,695 2,835 2,395
Ukraine n/a n/a 235 490 370 775 770 445 365 295
Other Former USSR 590 785 960 1,325 2,235 2,460 2,275 895 1,245 620
Other Former Yugo. 1,385 1,565 620 375 535 2,625 2,200 85 90 45
Europe other 535 770 1,035 1,575 1,260 200 415 335 300 85
Europe total 5,360 7,050 6,475 9,145 17,745 28,280 22,880 14,215 13,235 6,280
Colombia 405 525 1,005 1,330 425 1,000 505 365 420 225
Ecuador 105 250 435 1,205 280 610 445 255 315 145
Jamaica 110 150 125 130 105 180 310 525 1,310 925
Americas other 265 415 205 165 165 240 155 170 240 220
Americas total 890 1,340 1,765 2,825 975 2,025 1,420 1,315 2,290 1,520
Algeria 995 1,865 715 715 1,260 1,385 1,635 1,140 1,060 535
Angola 605 555 385 195 150 545 800 1,015 1,420 860
Burundi 50 95 60 85 215 780 620 610 700 645
Cameroon 75 85 105 175 95 245 355 380 615 495
Congo 40 80 75 90 150 450 485 540 600 355
Dem. Rep. Congo 775 935 680 690 660 1,240 1,030 1,370 2,215 1,525
Eritrea 110 245 135 125 345 565 505 620 1,180 955
Ethiopia 730 585 205 145 345 455 415 610 700 640
Gambia 140 1,170 245 125 45 30 50 65 130 95
Ghana 2,035 1,915 780 350 225 195 285 190 275 320
Ivory Coast 705 245 125 70 95 190 445 275 315 395
Kenya 1,130 1,395 1,170 605 885 485 455 305 350 220
Nigeria 4,340 5,825 2,900 1,480 1,380 945 835 810 1,125 990
Rwanda 100 135 80 90 280 820 760 530 655 265
Sierra Leone 1,810 855 395 815 565 1,125 1,330 1,940 1,155 385
Somalia 1,840 3,465 1,780 2,730 4,685 7,495 5,020 6,420 6,540 5,100
Sudan 330 345 280 230 250 280 415 390 655 930
Tanzania 205 1,535 225 90 80 80 60 80 40 30
Uganda 360 365 215 220 210 420 740 480 715 710
Zimbabwe 55 105 130 60 80 230 1,010 2,140 7,655 3,280
Africa other 530 750 600 425 375 465 670 670 1,295 1,640
Africa total 16,960 22,545 11,290 9,515 12,380 18,435 17,920 20,590 29,390 20,370
Iran 520 615 585 585 745 1,320 5,610 3,420 2,630 2,875
Iraq 550 930 965 1,075 1,295 1,800 7,475 6,680 14,570 4,045
Middle East other 910 755 600 675 745 1,045 1,330 1,165 1,115 1,065
Middle East total 1,985 2,295 2,150 2,335 2,785 4,165 14,415 11,265 18,315 7,985
Afghanistan 325 580 675 1,085 2,395 3,975 5,555 8,920 7,205 2,290
Bangladesh 310 685 645 545 460 530 795 510 720 730
China 425 790 820 1,945 1,925 2,625 4,000 2,390 3,675 3,445
India 2,030 3,255 2,220 1,285 1,030 1,365 2,120 1,850 1,865 2,275
Pakistan 1,810 2,915 1,915 1,615 1,975 2,615 3,165 2,860 2,405 1,905
Sri Lanka 2,350 2,070 1,340 1,830 3,505 5,130 6,395 5,510 3,130 705
Vietnam 5 5 10 10 35 105 180 400 840 1,130
Asia other 260 385 270 255 615 1,120 1,025 1,040 915 655
Asia total 7,515 10,685 7,885 8,570 11,940 17,465 23,230 23,480 20,755 13,135
Nationality not known 125 50 80 105 190 785 450 160 145 80
Grand total 32,830 43,965 29,640 32,500 46,015 71,160 80,315 71,025 84,130 49,370
n/a = data not available.
1Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2.
2 May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January 1999 and March 2000.
3 Revised figures.
4 Provisional figures.
5 Serbia and Montenegro (SAM) replaced Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) from 5 February 2003. SAM comprises the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Montenegro and the Province of Kosovo (administered by the UN on an interim basis since 1999).

Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been granted asylum in the UK in each year since 1979, broken down by nationality. [177104]

Mr. Browne

[holding answer 8 June 2004]: The table shows the number of asylum seekers, excluding dependants, granted asylum in the United Kingdom by nationality, 1994 to 2003 the latest published data. Information for previous years is published in successive

Cases1,2 recognised as refugees and granted asylum, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1994 to 2003
Number of grants to principal applicants
Nationality 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20003 20013,4 20025 20035
Albania — — — * * 25 25 25 20 5
Czech Republic — — — — — * 10 5 * —
Macedonia n/a n/a — — * * * 5 5 —
Moldova — — — * — — 5 5 5 *
Poland — — * * * * 20 5 * 5
Romania 5 5 5 5 * 5 15 5 5 *
Russia n/a n/a 5 5 * * 25 20 15 10
SAME6 n/a n/a 70 1,355 935 6,290 275 360 225 30
Turkey 90 50 55 85 40 85 180 210 150 95
Ukraine n/a n/a — 5 — * 15 10 * —
Other Former USSR 5 10 5 10 5 10 60 55 55 25
Other Former Yugo. 25 285 1,080 405 70 45 110 40 10 5
Europe Other 5 5 * 5 — 15 50 25 5 *
Europe Total 130 355 1,220 1,870 1,060 6,480 790 760 500 175
Colombia 5 * 10 20 150 5 60 40 45 20
Ecuador — — — — — — 25 10 20 5
Jamaica — — — — — — 5 5 10 *
Americas Other 5 10 5 15 25 * 30 10 5 5
Americas Total 10 10 15 35 175 5 120 70 80 30
Algeria 20 15 30 105 310 475 65 65 20 5
Angola 5 * 10 10 5 20 70 100 65 25
Burundi — — — 5 195 20 85 225 115 115
Cameroon — — — 5 10 — 20 50 40 20
Congo — — — * 5 5 45 115 35 35
Dem. Rep. Congo 10 15 15 20 10 15 145 325 155 90
Eritrea * — * 5 10 5 35 120 140 65
Ethiopia 5 5 10 20 35 20 40 90 50 15
Gambia — 10 15 5 10 * 5 5 — *
Ghana 5 * 5 10 10 — 40 50 15 10
Ivory Coast * * 10 40 50 — 15 20 10 15
Kenya — * 5 15 5 15 50 25 15 10
Nigeria * * 15 65 100 — 20 25 25 15
Rwanda 5 — * 80 145 20 85 205 125 25
Sierra Leone 5 * 5 5 10 5 95 165 55 15
Somalia 5 10 15 985 2,330 130 5,310 2,910 2,515 1,660
Sudan 30 10 55 60 55 40 110 120 70 130
Tanzania * — * — * * 5 5 5 *
Uganda 15 5 5 5 5 5 20 55 35 30
Zimbabwe — — * * — — 20 120 2,240 870
Africa Other 10 * 5 15 15 5 55 90 70 40
Africa Total 115 80 210 1,460 3,315 785 6,340 4,880 5,795 3,190
Iran 100 165 195 155 125 55 390 575 395 115
Iraq 380 570 470 255 510 315 845 830 715 75
Middle East Other 45 50 80 100 60 45 115 150 90 60
Middle East Total 520 785 745 510 695 415 1,350 1,560 1,205 250
Afghanistan 5 15 25 20 35 15 375 2,320 115 40
Bangladesh — — * — * * 20 10 5 5
China 15 10 10 25 5 5 40 20 15 20
India 5 * 5 * * * 40 20 5 10
Pakistan 5 10 5 10 5 25 125 225 135 75
Sri Lanka 10 20 5 55 50 20 900 1,440 340 25
Vietnam * — — — — — * 15 25 10

editions of the Horne Office annual statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom", copies of which are available from the Library of the House, and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/immigrationl.html. The nationalities provided in the publication have changed to some extent over the years, reflecting changes in the nationalities applying for asylum. Provision of a consistent set of data for all nationalities, for data back to 1979, would incur disproportionate cost.

Cases1,2 recognised as refugees and granted asylum, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1994 to 2003
Number of grants to principal applicants
Nationality 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20003 20013,4 20025 20035
Asia Other 5 * — * 5 * 45 80 50 35
Asia Total 50 60 50 115 100 65 1,545 4,130 685 225
Nationality not known — — — — 65 225 55 10 10
Grand Total 825 1,295 2,240 3,985 5,345 7,815 10,375 11,450 8,270 3,880
n/a = Data not available.
1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2.
2 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
3 Exclude cases where asylum has been granted under the backlog criteria.
4 Revised figures.
5 Provisional figures.
6Serbia and Montenegro (SAM) replaced Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) from 5 February 2003. SAM comprises the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Montenegro, and the Province of Kosovo (administered by the UN on an interim basis since 1999).

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 700W, on asylum seekers, how many failed Iraqi asylum seekers have been removed from the UK in each month since June 2003 for which figures are available. [174755]

Mr. Browne

Estimates of the number of nationals of Iraq who had sought asylum at some stage and who were removed from the UK from between July 2003 and March 2004—the latest date for which figures are available—are shown in the table. These figures include persons departing leaving the UK after the initiation of enforcement action against them, and persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes operated on our behalf by the International Organisation for Migration.

Removals and voluntary departures1 of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, nationals of Iraq, July 2003 to March 2004
Number of principal applicants
Nationality 2,3,4Iraq
July 2003 20
August 2003 20
September 2003 15
October 2003 20
November 2003 20
December 2003 20
January 2004 60
February 2004 60
March 2004 90
Total July 2003 to March 2004 320
1Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
2 Figures may include a small number of dependants leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes.
3 Data have been estimated due to data quality issues.
4 Provisional figures.
Note:
Figures rounded to the nearest five and may not sum due to rounding. Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.

At present returns to Iraq are on a voluntary basis, but on 24 February 2004 my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary announced that the UK was the first country to reach agreement with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to begin enforced returns

of unsuccessful Iraqi asylum seekers. A pilot scheme will allow thirty Iraqi nationals per month to be returned initially. We will commence returns when the practical arrangements are finalised.

Information on the destination of these removals is not available except by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.

Information on the nationality of those asylum seekers who were removed from the UK between April and June 2004 will be available in August 2004 from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at ttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/immigration1. html

Mr. Djanogly

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are being housed in local authority or housing association accommodation in the(a) Huntingdon constituency, (b) Cambridgeshire and (c) Corby constituency. [175133]

Mr. Browne

Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on the support that the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers currently in the UK are either in receipt of support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or from local authorities, or are supporting themselves. Statistics regarding the location of asylum seekers not in receipt of NASS support are unavailable.

The following table gives data on the number of asylum seekers supported in. NASS accommodation in the Huntingdon constituency, Cambridgeshire and Corby constituency, as at the end of March 2004 (including dependants):

Number supported in NASS accommodation (including dependants)
Cambridgeshire Of which: 115
Cambridge —
Huntingdon —
North-East Cambridgeshire —
North-West Cambridgeshire 115
South Cambridgeshire —
South-East Cambridgeshire —
Corby 5
Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published in the quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, available from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.