Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Friday, 13 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 October 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 October 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum/Immigration

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on returning Tamil asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: All asylum and human rights applications from Tamils are considered by the Home Office on their individual merits, in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and against the background of the latest available objective country of origin information.In common with other failed asylum seekers, Tamils found not to be in need of international protection after consideration of their case, and who have exhausted any appeal rights they might have within the UK, are expected to leave the UK and may have their removal enforced.

Secondary information