January 28, 2003
The Government has been challenged to live up to its promise of making known all the facts on asylum by revealing their estimate of the number of failed asylum seekers still in the UK.Decisions (year of outcome) |
|
439,540
|
Less total granted asylum, ELR, or appeal allowed |
142,605
|
296,935
|
Less removals and voluntary departures |
52,115
|
244,820
|
Add 30% allowance for dependants |
73,460
|
318,280
|
'There has been a good deal of evasiveness on this issue by the Government - in the House of Commons on 20 January Minister of State, Mrs. Hughes, 'did not have the figure in her head' (Hansard Col 15). On Newsnight, on 24 January, Lord Filkin declined to give an estimate - so if Mr Blunkett means to have an honest debate its time these tactics were replaced with the facts on a matter of great public concern,' he said.
Said Sir Andrew: 'The Home Office claim that no estimate can be made because an unknown number return to their own countries without informing the British authorities. This last point is a matter on which the public can reach their own judgement as Mr. Blunkett suggests.'