Written question asked by Humfrey Malins (Conservative) on Friday, 29 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have arrived at UK (a) airports and (b) ports without any or any proper documentation and subsequently claimed asylum in each of the last 12 months. - Including fact that information on asylum applications is published on a quarterly and annual basis at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Answer: Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have arrived at UK (a) airports and (b) ports without any or any proper documentation and subsequently claimed asylum in each of the last 12 months. [195469] Mr. Browne: Precise information on how many people have arrived at UK airports or ports undocumented and subsequently claimed asylum is unavailable. However, management information indicates that, during July 2003 and June 2004, undocumented arrivals (which may include dependants) was equivalent to around 70 per cent. of the number of port principal asylum applicants. A breakdown by type of port, and on how many subsequently claimed asylum, is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Information on asylum applications is published on a quarterly and annual basis. The publication covering the third quarter of 2004 (July to September) was published on 16 November on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Secondary information