Clause 11 - Unfounded human rights or asylum claim
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill
9:30 am
Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow, Labour)
I want to comment briefly on some of the points that the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome made on the amendments. It must be acknowledged that the availability of the country information that is used by the Home Office in making decisions is vastly better than it used to be. It is now possible to go on to the internet and look at the country information that is used by Home Office officials in making decisions.
I have talked to a particular group in my constituency that had concerns about the information relating to their country of origin, and
was able to direct them to the information on the Home Office website. I then talked to the Home Office and, as a result, changes were made to that country information. When one compares that with the situation six or seven years ago, when it was impossible to see the country information, it should be acknowledged that there have been significant improvements on that front.