Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Thursday, 19 July 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 July 2007. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Thursday, 26 July 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Boris Berezovsky

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2007, Official Report, column 53W, on Boris Berezovsky, if she will take steps to enable parliamentary scrutiny of the decisions of the Border and Immigration Agency relating to political asylum via questions relating to individual cases; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 24 July 2007]: All applicants are assured at the beginning of the asylum process that details about their claim will be treated in confidence. Therefore it is not possible to comment on individual cases. The Border and Immigration Agency must meet the legal requirements placed on Government Departments by the laws of confidence, article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Data Protection Act 1998. These laws ensure that those genuinely in need of protection can feel secure in telling us the nature of their claim.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 463 c1505W; 152465
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Boris Berezovsky
Monday, 16 July 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Asylum Berezovsky, Boris
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk