Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts
Monday 21st May 2012

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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The hon. Gentleman raises the issue of the report by the Refugee Council that was published this morning. Obviously, we will consider the Refugee Council’s recommendations as we continue to improve at all levels, but I point out to the hon. Gentleman that under the Labour Government it was 28 days before Ministers got involved, whereas under this Government it is 72 hours.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)
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What happens to families who are claiming asylum in this country having passed through other safe countries before getting here? Are we returning them to the last safe country that they left or do we offer them the opportunity to stay in this country indefinitely?

Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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We return where we can, obviously, but the important point is that we have a process for returning and we follow it.