Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is the Government's policy to consider claims for asylum from member states of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the claims of (a) Natalia Chernyshera, (b) Dmitri Maruev and (c) Aleksandr Gorbachev from Russia.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the Government's policy to consider claims for asylum from member states of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the claims of (a) Natalia Chernyshera, (b) Dmitri Maruev and (c) Aleksandr Gorbachev from Russia. [221905] Mr. Browne: As a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, we consider each claim for asylum on its individual merits to determine whether the claimant can demonstrate a well- founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. An asylum claim made by a national of one of the member states of the Council of Europe would be given individual consideration. Nationals of EU member states are subject to separate immigration arrangements. Very few EU nationals claim asylum, and claims that are received are likely to be certified as clearly unfounded with the result that there is no right of appeal against refusal. We do not discuss or disclose the immigration status of any individual, other than matters already in the public domain, without the written consent of that person.

Secondary information