House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 27 Jan 2005 (pt 7)

27 Jan 2005 : Column 464W—continued

Local Education Authorities

Mr. Hoban: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the best value performance indicators (BVPIs) for each local education authority for 2003–04 will be published on the BVPI website. [211306]

Mr. Raynsford: The best value performance indicators (BVPIs) results for each local education authority for 2003–04 will be published on the BVPI website in early February.

New Charter

Andrew Bennett: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of whether New Charter is providing an adequate service as agents for homeless people for Tameside Council. [210664]

Yvette Cooper: New Charter is providing services for homeless people as agents for Tameside Council, who are responsible for monitoring the contract. I understand that the Council is satisfied that all the main aspects of the service specification are being achieved.

27 Jan 2005 : Column 465W

Social Housing

Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from (a) registered social landlords and (b) those who fund them for greater freedom to raise rents. [210645]

Keith Hill: In response to its three-year review of rent restructuring the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received a number of representations from registered social landlords and others such as the National Housing Federation. A summary of responses will be made available shortly.

Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many tenants in each local authority area have exercised their right to buy in each of the last three years; what revenue has thereby accrued to each local authority; and what proportion of the total in each year was used for (a) repairing and (b) building council housing. [210755]

Keith Hill: Annual figures for council right to buy activity for 1999–2000 to 2002–03 by local authority are available from the Housing Statistics section on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's internet site. These tables show the number of right to buy sales and the average selling price excluding discount for each reporting local authority.

It is a matter for individual authorities to decide how to use the receipts they retain from right to buy sales in the light of local needs and priorities. Information on how local authorities chose to use the retained receipts from right to buy sales is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The web link for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 information on Right to Buy activity is: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_control/documents/contentsservertemplate/odpm_index.hcst?n=1680&l=4 [Housing—Housing Statistics—Publications—Local Housing Statistics—Annual Statistics]

The web link for 2002–03 information is: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_029535.xls [Housing—Housing Statistics—Live Tables—Social Housing Sales—Table number 648]

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour Documents

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of (a) drafting, (b) publishing and (c) circulating (i) Working together—tackling not tolerating antisocial behaviour, (ii) One Year On—together tackling anti-social behaviour and (iii) central Government funding of voluntary and community organisations. [201038]

Ms Blears: Officials from the Government's Antisocial Behaviour Unit drafted the two Together" reports published on 28 October 2004 as part of their daily duties. An estimate of £59,499 has been made for the drafting, publication and circulation for both reports.

27 Jan 2005 : Column 466W

The One Year On and Practitioners' reports have been distributed widely to key stakeholder groups and individuals throughout England and Wales. They were initially distributed at the One Year On event held on 28 October to an audience in excess of 600 people drawn from local authorities, community groups, members of the public, police, MPs, and antisocial behaviour practitioners. Since this time the reports have also been available online and downloadable from the website and have received over 1,270 individual hits.

Distribution to 6,000 individuals and groups from the range of key stakeholder groups including CDRP chairs, ASB Co-ordinators, Action Areas and Trailblazer representatives, and Together Academy attendees has also occurred along with individual mailouts upon request.

Asylum Seekers

Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what target time has been set for reaching an initial decision on (a) asylum and (b) non-asylum applications; and what percentage of cases were processed within these target periods in the last period for which figures are available. [206248]

Mr. Browne: The information is as follows:

(a) The Home Office's Public Service Agreement (PSA) target for 2003–04 was to ensure that 75 per cent. of new substantive asylum applications (excluding withdrawals and 3rd country cases) were decided within two months. This was an increase from the 65 per cent. and 60 per cent. targets met in 2002–03 and 2001–02 respectively.

The 2003–04 target was exceeded, with 82 per cent. of new substantive applications having an initial decision reached and served within two months. The speed of initial decisions continues to improve with 84 per cent. of substantive applications received in Q2 (April to June) 2004 having an initial decision reached and served within two months, and reflects the Governments commitment to, and continued success in, speeding up the initial decision-making process.

Information on the number of asylum applications outstanding, and the timeliness of initial decisions are published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

(b) The internal target times for processing non-asylum applications have been revised in the light of the top to bottom review of managed migration routes announced on 27 April 2004.

The internal targets that have been set are for the whole period from 1 October 2004 to 31 March 2005 and are summarised in the table. The table includes provisional management information currently available on performance so far against those targets.

27 Jan 2005 : Column 467W

Application Type Target from 1 October 2004 Provisional management
information on performance for
October-November 2004

Charged general leave to remain (postal) 70 per cent. in 3 weeks 68 per cent. in 3 weeks

85 per cent. in 13 weeks 85 per cent. in 13 weeks

Charged general leave to remain (Public Enquiry Office) 98 per cent. in 24 hours 85 per cent. in 24 hours

Non-charged general leave to remain (postal) 20 per cent. 3 weeks 37 per cent. in 3 weeks

25 per cent. in 13 weeks 52 per cent. in 13 weeks

Non-charged general leave to remain (Public Enquiry Office) 95 per cent. in 24 hours 97 per cent. in 24 hours

Work permit, including sector based scheme 70 per cent. in 1 week 66 per cent. in 1 week

90 per cent. in 3 weeks 84 per cent. in 3 weeks

Charged leave to remain (postal) for immigration employment document 70 per cent. in 3 weeks 35 per cent. 3 weeks

90 per cent. in 8 weeks 82 per cent. 8 weeks

Highly skilled migrant programme 50 per cent. in 4 weeks 25 per cent. in 4 weeks

90 per cent. in 13 weeks 38 per cent. in 13 weeks

Worker registration scheme 70 per cent. in 1 week 40 per cent. in 1 week

90 per cent. in 3 weeks 91 per cent. in 3 weeks

Nationality 50 per cent. in 13 weeks 48 per cent. in 13 weeks

Application Type	Target from 1 October 2004	Provisional management information on performance for October-November 2004
Charged general leave to remain (postal)	70 per cent. in 3 weeks	68 per cent. in 3 weeks
	85 per cent. in 13 weeks	85 per cent. in 13 weeks

Charged general leave to remain (Public Enquiry Office)	98 per cent. in 24 hours	85 per cent. in 24 hours

Non-charged general leave to remain (postal)	20 per cent. 3 weeks	37 per cent. in 3 weeks
	25 per cent. in 13 weeks	52 per cent. in 13 weeks

Non-charged general leave to remain (Public Enquiry Office)	95 per cent. in 24 hours	97 per cent. in 24 hours

Work permit, including sector based scheme	70 per cent. in 1 week	66 per cent. in 1 week
	90 per cent. in 3 weeks	84 per cent. in 3 weeks

Charged leave to remain (postal) for immigration employment document	70 per cent. in 3 weeks	35 per cent. 3 weeks
	90 per cent. in 8 weeks	82 per cent. 8 weeks

Highly skilled migrant programme	50 per cent. in 4 weeks	25 per cent. in 4 weeks
	90 per cent. in 13 weeks	38 per cent. in 13 weeks

Worker registration scheme	70 per cent. in 1 week	40 per cent. in 1 week
	90 per cent. in 3 weeks	91 per cent. in 3 weeks

Nationality	50 per cent. in 13 weeks	48 per cent. in 13 weeks

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of Zimbabwean asylum seekers received (a) refugee status and (b) another form of protection from the UK Government in each quarter since 1997. [210513]

Mr. Browne: The tables show initial decision and appeal determinations by quarter, where available, for Zimbabwean asylum applicants, 1997 to Q3 2004. Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made

27 Jan 2005 : Column 468W

in the same period and appeal outcomes do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made in the same period.

Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication covering the fourth quarter of 2004 will be available on 22 February 2005 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
Initial decisions⁽⁷⁾ on asylum applications, by quarter, 1997 to Q3 2004: Nationals of Zimbabwe

Cases considered under normal procedures⁽⁸⁾
Backlog clearance exercise

Total initial decisions Grants of asylum
Grants of ELR, HP
and DL⁽⁹⁾
Total refusals
Total backlog clearance exercise Backlog clearance
ELR4, 5
Backlog clearance
refusals4, 6

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

Q1 1997 25 — 0 — 0 25 100 — — — — —

Q2 1997 30 * 4 * 4 25 93 — — — — —

Q3 1997 50 * 2 5 6 50 92 — — — — —

Q4 1997 20 — 0 — 0 20 100 — — — — —

Q1 1998 15 — 0 * 13 15 88 — — — — —

Q2 1998 10 — 0 * 10 10 90 — — — — —

Q3 1998 5 — 0 — 0 5 100 — — — — —

Q4 1998 15 — 0 — 0 15 100 — — — — —

1999⁽¹³⁾ 105 — 0 — 0 105 91 10 10 90 * 10

Q1 2000 35 * 4 — 0 35 73 10 10 100 — 0

Q2 2000 60 5 4 5 6 50 59 25 25 93 * 7

Q3 2000 155 5 3 5 4 145 90 5 * 25 5 75

Q4 2000 305 10 3 — 0 295 97 — — — — —

Q1 2001 590 15 3 10 2 565 96 — — — — —

Q2 2001 440 25 5 10 3 405 92 — — — — —

Q3 2001 435 35 8 10 2 395 90 — — — — —

Q4 2001 665 45 7 15 2 605 91 — — — — —

Q1 2002 1,015 200 20 30 3 785 77 — — — — —

Q2 2002 1,305 440 34 25 2 840 64 — — — — —

Q3 2002 1,580 715 45 20 1 845 53 — — — — —

Q4 2002 2,330 885 38 30 1 1,415 61 — — — — —

Q1 2003⁽¹⁴⁾ 1,190 350 29 10 1 835 70 — — — — —

Q2 2003⁽¹⁴⁾ 1,145 275 24 10 1 860 75 — — — — —

Q3 2003⁽¹⁴⁾ 905 135 15 10 1 760 84 — — — — —

Q4 2003⁽¹⁴⁾ 950 115 12 5 0 830 87 — — — — —

Q1 2004⁽¹⁴⁾ 845 90 11 10 1 740 88 — — — — —

Q2 2004⁽¹⁴⁾ 550 55 10 5 1 490 89 — — — — —

Q3 2004⁽¹⁴⁾ 630 45 7 10 2 575 91 — — — — —

n/a = not applicable.
⁽⁷⁾Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
⁽⁸⁾Humanitarian protection and discretionary leave replaced exceptional leave to remain from 1 April 2003.
⁽⁹⁾Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog.
⁽¹⁰⁾May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.
⁽¹¹⁾May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.
⁽¹²⁾Annual data only available.
⁽¹³⁾Provisional figures.

27 Jan 2005 : Column 469W

		Cases considered under normal procedures⁽⁸⁾	Backlog clearance exercise
	Total initial decisions	Grants of asylum	Grants of ELR, HP and DL⁽⁹⁾	Total refusals	Total backlog clearance exercise	Backlog clearance ELR4, 5	Backlog clearance refusals4, 6
		No.	%	No.	%	No.	%		No.	%	No.	%
Q1 1997	25	—	0	—	0	25	100	—	—	—	—	—
Q2 1997	30	*	4	*	4	25	93	—	—	—	—	—
Q3 1997	50	*	2	5	6	50	92	—	—	—	—	—
Q4 1997	20	—	0	—	0	20	100	—	—	—	—	—
Q1 1998	15	—	0	*	13	15	88	—	—	—	—	—
Q2 1998	10	—	0	*	10	10	90	—	—	—	—	—
Q3 1998	5	—	0	—	0	5	100	—	—	—	—	—
Q4 1998	15	—	0	—	0	15	100	—	—	—	—	—
1999⁽¹³⁾	105	—	0	—	0	105	91	10	10	90	*	10
Q1 2000	35	*	4	—	0	35	73	10	10	100	—	0
Q2 2000	60	5	4	5	6	50	59	25	25	93	*	7
Q3 2000	155	5	3	5	4	145	90	5	*	25	5	75
Q4 2000	305	10	3	—	0	295	97	—	—	—	—	—
Q1 2001	590	15	3	10	2	565	96	—	—	—	—	—
Q2 2001	440	25	5	10	3	405	92	—	—	—	—	—
Q3 2001	435	35	8	10	2	395	90	—	—	—	—	—
Q4 2001	665	45	7	15	2	605	91	—	—	—	—	—
Q1 2002	1,015	200	20	30	3	785	77	—	—	—	—	—
Q2 2002	1,305	440	34	25	2	840	64	—	—	—	—	—
Q3 2002	1,580	715	45	20	1	845	53	—	—	—	—	—
Q4 2002	2,330	885	38	30	1	1,415	61	—	—	—	—	—
Q1 2003⁽¹⁴⁾	1,190	350	29	10	1	835	70	—	—	—	—	—
Q2 2003⁽¹⁴⁾	1,145	275	24	10	1	860	75	—	—	—	—	—
Q3 2003⁽¹⁴⁾	905	135	15	10	1	760	84	—	—	—	—	—
Q4 2003⁽¹⁴⁾	950	115	12	5	0	830	87	—	—	—	—	—
Q1 2004⁽¹⁴⁾	845	90	11	10	1	740	88	—	—	—	—	—
Q2 2004⁽¹⁴⁾	550	55	10	5	1	490	89	—	—	—	—	—
Q3 2004⁽¹⁴⁾	630	45	7	10	2	575	91	—	—	—	—	—

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his Department provides to its asylum officials regarding the grounds for granting refugee status to applicants who have fled persecution because of their homosexuality. [210708]

Mr. Browne: All caseworkers in the immigration and nationality directorate, who are responsible for considering asylum claims, are trained in the proper application of the 1951 UN convention relating to the status of refugees and the need to apply those principles to the circumstances of the particular case. All caseworkers have access to the Home Office asylum policy instructions, which are published on the Home Office website. Additional support is provided by senior caseworkers, who are on hand to give advice and to ensure that consistently high standards of decision making are maintained.

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training in sexuality issues his Department provides to officials who handle asylum applications based on persecution on the grounds of sexual orientation. [210709]

Mr. Browne: Asylum caseworkers undergo extensive training in the assessment of asylum claims made under the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees. This includes training in the interpretation of the five convention reasons, and specifically the definition of membership of a particular social group", which is relevant to many claims involving sexual orientation. Guidance on Membership of a Particular Social Group" and instructions on Assessing the Claim" are available to caseworkers in the form of the asylum policy instructions, which are published on the Home Office website.

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