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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Corbett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the practical difficulties of returning failed asylum seekers to (a) Iran, (b) Iraq, (c) Somalia, (d) Sri Lanka and (e) Afghanistan. [153829] Mrs. Roche: [holding answer 15 March 2001]: For all nationalities there are the practical difficulties of locating those who have absconded. There are also the practical difficulties of arranging flights, the handling of last minute representations and legal challenges. Many asylum seekers arrive without a valid passport. In order to effect their return it is necessary to obtain a passport or other travel document from their national authorities. This can be a lengthy and difficult process as it is often necessary to provide detailed evidence of the applicant's identity and nationality before a travel document can be issued. We are not currently seeking to return failed asylum seekers where country conditions are not conducive. In addition returns to three of these countries (Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan) are complicated by the absence of direct international flights from the United Kingdom to those countries. Thus removals to those countries require the agreement of third party states to enable transit through their territory. We are currently investigating the potential for reaching such agreements with appropriate states. For some nationalities we are unable to effect removals without having first obtained a travel document from that country's Embassy or High Commission.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

153829; 364 c767W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Asylum Deportation Iraq Refugees Afghanistan Sri Lanka Iran Somalia

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk