Written question asked by Peter Duncan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2002. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 4 November 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources are available to process asylum applications at (a) Belfast port and (b) Larne port. - Inc fact that no permanent resources are in place.

Answer: Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are available to process asylum applications at (a) Belfast port and (b) Larne port. [78504] Beverley Hughes: No permanent resources are in place at either Belfast or Larne ports. Neither port has international ferry services and accordingly there is no operational need for UK Immigration Service personnel to be stationed there. Any person who indicated to port staff at either port that they wished to claim asylum would be directed to the UK Immigration Service office at Belfast International Airport, where arrangements would be made for screening and interview in the normal way.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 78504; 392 c95W;392 c99W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Asylum Applications Immigration Refugees Larne Port Belfast Harbour
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk