§ 15. Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.[162533]
§ Beverley HughesSection 55 of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 prevents the National Asylum Support Service from providing support to applicants who do not apply for asylum as soon as reasonably practicable after their arrival in the UK. It is designed to tackle abuse of the asylum system and is one of a package of measures which has contributed to the substantial reduction in asylum claims.