Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 October 2002. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 October 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how may apprehended clandestine immigrants who have claimed to have entered the UK via Portsmouth have sought asylum in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many apprehended clandestine immigrants who have claimed to have entered the UK via Portsmouth have sought asylum in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [75448] Beverley Hughes: The Home Office does not collate statistics in relation to where asylum seekers claimed to have entered the United Kingdom clandestinely. Attempts are made to capture this data through initial screening and interviews for asylum. However, the information provided by those seeking asylum is often unreliable as most claim not to know where they entered the United Kingdom or unwilling to divulge this.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 75448; 391 c332W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Asylum Undocumented migrants Ports Refugees Portsmouth Channel crossing
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk