Written question asked by Neil Gerrard (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 March 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: How many of the asylum seekers currently held in detention (a) are awaiting a decision on their asylum application, (b) are awaiting an appeal following a refusal of their asylum application and (c) have had an appeal rejected. - Includes table.

Answer: Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the asylum seekers currently held in detention (a) are awaiting a decision on their asylum application, (b) are awaiting an appeal following a refusal of their asylum application and (c) have had an appeal rejected. [19561] Mr. Kirkhope: The available information is given in the table. Number of people recorded as being detained{1,2} on 31 January 1997{3} who had sought asylum at some stage, by stage of application and immigration status _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Stage of application Port Illegal entrant Subject to deportation Total action Awaiting an initial decision 103 57 15 175 Awaiting result of an appeal 203 144 29 376 Awaiting removal after 86 144 17 217 refusal Total 392 315 61 768 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Persons detained solely under powers contained in Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. {2} These figures include people who have been in detention for less than one month. Because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period of time, the figures should be used with caution. {3} Illegal entrants and persons subject to deportation action are as at 31 January, port cases are as at 3 February 1997.

Secondary information