we are _ for legal migration and the border. we are pleased _ for legal migration and the border. we are pleased to _ for legal migration and the border. we are pleased to see _ for legal migration and the border. we are pleased to see you - for legal migration and the border. we are pleased to see you again i we are pleased to see you again because you've been in front of this committee before so very nice to have you back. committee before so very nice to have you back-— committee before so very nice to have ou back. �* ., ._ ., ., have you back. been away for a while but back. have you back. been away for a while but back- mr — have you back. been away for a while but back. mr hobbs, _ have you back. been away for a while but back. mr hobbs, would _ have you back. been away for a while but back. mr hobbs, would you - have you back. been away for a while but back. mr hobbs, would you like l but back. mr hobbs, would you like to introduce — but back. mr hobbs, would you like to introduce yourself? _ but back. mr hobbs, would you like to introduce yourself? yeah - but back. mr hobbs, would you like to introduce yourself? yeah the - to introduce yourself? yeah the director—general for migration and borders at the home office. before we start, ijust borders at the home office. before we start, i just want to extend borders at the home office. before we start, ijust want to extend my personal condolences and that of the whole committee to the news yesterday around the asylum seeker who was on the bibby stockholm who sadly died. clearly we don't have much more information about that, but i think all our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of that individual. and i think i speak for the whole committee in saying that. i think where we would like to start today is to reflect on the session that we had with the permanent secretary of the home office, and the interim second permanent secretary on the 29th of november. we found as a committee that session quite difficult to get information out of the officials about questions we were legitimately asking. since then were legitimately asking. since then we have had a letter from the permanent secretary which came yesterday. i think we would quite like to start just yesterday. i think we would quite like to startjust by having a look at that letter and dealing with some of the points that are contained in that letter. i want to start with the legacy asylum backlog. we know that this is the anniversary of the prime minister on the 13th of december last year saying that he was going to pledge that the legacy backlog would be cleared by the end of this year. and it's very good to see progress has been made on that. in the letter from the permanent secretary he says that on the 30th of november there were 18,366 cases remaining for decision. i think that was out of 92,000 that we started with with the legacy backlog. so huge progress, and i think that's a very important and good to see. i just want to ask both of you, i don't know if you have this letter in front of you. i don't know if you have this letter in front of you.— in front of you. i do, which page are ou in front of you. i do, which page are you referring _ in front of you. i do, which page are you referring to? _ in front of you. i do, which page are you referring to? we - in front of you. i do, which page are you referring to? we are - in front of you. i do, which page are you referring to? we are on | in front of you. i do, which page . are you referring to? we are on the third -ae~ are you referring to? we are on the third page of _ are you referring to? we are on the third page of the — are you referring to? we are on the third page of the letter, _ are you referring to? we are on the third page of the letter, it - are you referring to? we are on the third page of the letter, it says - third page of the letter, it says legacy asylum backlog. paragraphs six and seven. _ legacy asylum backlog. paragraphs six and seven. yes. _ legacy asylum backlog. paragraphs six and seven. yes. i _ legacy asylum backlog. paragraphs six and seven. yes. ijust - legacy asylum backlog. paragraphs six and seven. yes. i just want - legacy asylum backlog. paragraphs six and seven. yes. i just want to l six and seven. yes. i 'ust want to ask ou, six and seven. yes. i 'ust want to askyou. looking_ six and seven. yes. i 'ust want to ask you, looking at _ six and seven. yes. i just want to ask you, looking at that - six and seven. yes. i just want to ask you, looking at that table - six and seven. yes. i just want to ask you, looking at that table for| ask you, looking at that table for the grants of protection, the grants of other leave, refused applications and withdrawn. ijust want of other leave, refused applications and withdrawn. i just want to take you to 2023, quarter three, where it has grants of protection at 18,1132, grants of other leave at 170, refused, 4743 and withdrawn 4268. now, tim loughton is going to ask some questions about the withdrawals. ijust want some questions about the withdrawals. i just want to concentrate on the moment on the acceptance is there. because if you add up that whole column it gets to 27,613 cases that were being dealt with in that quarter which is an impressive number. 18,000 are granted. 0n impressive number. 18,000 are granted. on my calculation, that is a 67% acceptance rate. ijust want to take you then to court it two, look at the figures, they are much smaller, but if you extrapolate from those figures the acceptance rate there is only at 38%. so ijust wondered if you might want to comment about how that has gone from 38% up to 67%, when the committee was told by dave o'neill, who is the chief expect to an inspector of immigration and borders, that the cases that were left in the legacy backlog would be the most complicated and complex to deal with and he was very sceptical about whether the pledge that the prime minister had made would actually be reached. what is going on? you minister had made would actually be reached. what is going on?- reached. what is going on? you will have seen the _ reached. what is going on? you will have seen the portfolio _ reached. what is going on? you will have seen the portfolio breakdown i have seen the portfolio breakdown between the two of us so i will turn to tom in a second to look at the detail of this. but where either it is in my portfolio and tom wants to add something or vice versa, then so be it. and all i would like to say, i hope you have received, because i know the committee requested a breakdown as to which minister was going to look at which area, you are nodding, i assume that means you have received that, so i will invite tom to answer that but if there's anything i can come in on as well perhaps we can deal with it in that way. perhaps we can deal with it in that wa . ~ . , perhaps we can deal with it in that wa . . ., , ., ., , way. we are very relaxed on this committee- _ way. we are very relaxed on this committee. what _ way. we are very relaxed on this committee. what we _ way. we are very relaxed on this committee. what we really - way. we are very relaxed on this committee. what we really wantj way. we are very relaxed on this i committee. what we really want to way. we are very relaxed on this - committee. what we really want to do is to get information and data. whichever one of you is able to answer the question is, we are happy with. . ., answer the question is, we are happy with. ., ,, i. answer the question is, we are happy with. ., 4, i. ~ , with. thank you. the prime minister was very clear _ with. thank you. the prime minister was very clear that _ with. thank you. the prime minister was very clear that this _ with. thank you. the prime minister was very clear that this was - with. thank you. the prime minister was very clear that this was a - was very clear that this was a priority. _ was very clear that this was a priority, dealing with the legacy asylum — priority, dealing with the legacy asylum backlog and i'm pleased with the progress that has been made and am hugely— the progress that has been made and am hugely appreciative to the team, expertly— am hugely appreciative to the team, expertly led by abby tierney who has 'ust expertly led by abby tierney who has just left _ expertly led by abby tierney who has just left the home office but has done _ just left the home office but has done a _ just left the home office but has done a fantasticjob on the transformation side in this area, and there — transformation side in this area, and there is lots of learning that has gone — and there is lots of learning that has gone on that will stand us in good _ has gone on that will stand us in good stead, i would argue, as we move _ good stead, i would argue, as we move to — good stead, i would argue, as we move to deal with the asylum backlog more generally. what we have seen is a fall in— more generally. what we have seen is a fall in the _ more generally. what we have seen is a fall in the last 12 months of 80% in terms _ a fall in the last 12 months of 80% in terms of— a fall in the last 12 months of 80% in terms of that legacy asylum backlog — in terms of that legacy asylum backlog and i am confident that all claims _ backlog and i am confident that all claims that can be decided will be decided _ claims that can be decided will be decided in — claims that can be decided will be decided in the timeframe is the prime _ decided in the timeframe is the prime minister said would happen in that legacy asylum backlog. you prime minister said would happen in that legacy asylum backlog.- that legacy asylum backlog. you are usina ve that legacy asylum backlog. you are using very careful— that legacy asylum backlog. you are using very careful language - that legacy asylum backlog. you are using very careful language there. l using very careful language there. all claims that can be decided. you are not saying that the pledge of clearing the backlog will actually be, we will see that pledge actually happen? i’m be, we will see that pledge actually ha en? �* . ., happen? i'm confident we will fulfil the ledue happen? i'm confident we will fulfil the pledge to _ happen? i'm confident we will fulfil the pledge to deal _ happen? i'm confident we will fulfil the pledge to deal with _ happen? i'm confident we will fulfil the pledge to deal with all- happen? i'm confident we will fulfil the pledge to deal with all the - the pledge to deal with all the cases— the pledge to deal with all the cases that we are able to deal with within— cases that we are able to deal with within that — cases that we are able to deal with within that asylum legacy backlog and i_ within that asylum legacy backlog and i think as well it is important to point— and i think as well it is important to point out, you touched on the grant _ to point out, you touched on the grant rate. — to point out, you touched on the grant rate, what we have seen is in the various— grant rate, what we have seen is in the various years in recent times, in 2019. _ the various years in recent times, in 2019, grant rate of 52%, in 2020, 40 6%. _ in 2019, grant rate of 52%, in 2020, 40 6%. in— in 2019, grant rate of 52%, in 2020, 40 6%, in 2021, 70 2%, in 2022 76%, ido 40 6%, in 2021, 70 2%, in 2022 76%, i do expect— 40 6%, in 2021, 70 2%, in 2022 76%, i do expect that the refusal rate will drop— i do expect that the refusal rate will drop in the last quarter of this year— will drop in the last quarter of this year and as we move into the flow in— this year and as we move into the flow in the — this year and as we move into the flow in the new year. can this year and as we move into the flow in the new year.— this year and as we move into the flow in the new year. can you answer m secific flow in the new year. can you answer my specific question, _ flow in the new year. can you answer my specific question, minister? - flow in the new year. can you answer my specific question, minister? as i my specific question, minister? as david neal said, it is fair to say that— david neal said, it is fair to say that a — david neal said, it is fair to say that a lot — david neal said, it is fair to say that a lot of the legacy backlog has been quite complex, challenging difficult — been quite complex, challenging difficult cases and you will appreciate the fact that with the length _ appreciate the fact that with the length of time passes, often those cases— length of time passes, often those cases get— length of time passes, often those cases get more complex by the nature of people _ cases get more complex by the nature of people laying down roots and all of people laying down roots and all of their— of people laying down roots and all of their circumstances developing. but in _ of their circumstances developing. but in terms of the commitment that we made _ but in terms of the commitment that we made i_ but in terms of the commitment that we made i believe that we will fulfil— we made i believe that we will fulfil it— we made i believe that we will fulfil it and i think we will also see these _ fulfil it and i think we will also see these grant rates coming down. why is— see these grant rates coming down. why is it _ see these grant rates coming down. why is it 67% in quarter three when it was 38% in quarter two? n why is it 67% in quarter three when it was 38% in quarter two?- it was 38% in quarter two? i think what is crucial _ it was 38% in quarter two? i think what is crucial is _ it was 38% in quarter two? i think what is crucial is that _ it was 38% in quarter two? i think what is crucial is that we - it was 38% in quarter two? i think what is crucial is that we make i it was 38% in quarter two? i think| what is crucial is that we make the right— what is crucial is that we make the right decisions on cases, so obviously— right decisions on cases, so obviously there is a case—by—case consideration of all the different circumstances at play. those are factors _ circumstances at play. those are factors that are relevant. you don't really know — factors that are relevant. you don't really know why — factors that are relevant. you don't really know why that _ factors that are relevant. you don't really know why that has _ factors that are relevant. you don't really know why that has gone - factors that are relevant. you don't| really know why that has gone from 38% up to 67%. you really know why that has gone from 38% up to 67%-— 38% up to 67%. you will appreciate on familiarising _ 38% up to 67%. you will appreciate on familiarising myself _ 38% up to 67%. you will appreciate on familiarising myself with - 38% up to 67%. you will appreciate on familiarising myself with this . on familiarising myself with this aspect— on familiarising myself with this aspect of— on familiarising myself with this aspect of the portfolio and these are priority areas. as i say, i genuinely— are priority areas. as i say, i genuinely believe that the grant rate will— genuinely believe that the grant rate will continue to fall as we move — rate will continue to fall as we move forward with this work. we take appropriate _ move forward with this work. we take appropriate decisions on a case—by—case basis but i'm not sure if operationally you may be able to add a _ if operationally you may be able to add a bit _ if operationally you may be able to add a bit more. reign thank you, minister~ — add a bit more. reign thank you, minister. statistically there is a bil minister. statistically there is a big difference in the output in that quarter~ _ big difference in the output in that quarter~ it — big difference in the output in that quarter. it will also be the fact that you — quarter. it will also be the fact that you will be aware we introduced the streaming of asylum processing of nationalities where we used to more _ of nationalities where we used to more efficient process. in quarter three, i thought _ more efficient process. in quarter three, i thought you'd _ more efficient process. in quarter three, i thought you'd done - more efficient process. in quarter three, i thought you'd done that l three, i thought you'd done that before? we three, i thought you'd done that before? ~ ., , ., ., ., before? we have started that earlier but it matched _ before? we have started that earlier but it matched with _ before? we have started that earlier but it matched with the _ before? we have started that earlier but it matched with the productivity| but it matched with the productivity uptake _ but it matched with the productivity uptake and the increasing in the staffing — uptake and the increasing in the staffing that will have come together probably for the numbers to have come _ together probably for the numbers to have come through later than here. but as— have come through later than here. but as i_ have come through later than here. but as i say. — have come through later than here. but as i say, as the minister said, the grant — but as i say, as the minister said, the grant rate in quarter three is not substantially out with the annual. — not substantially out with the annual, in fact it is below the last two years— annual, in fact it is below the last two years of annual grant rate, so i think— two years of annual grant rate, so i think it's _ two years of annual grant rate, so i think it's the — two years of annual grant rate, so i think it's the culmination of the range _ think it's the culmination of the range of— think it's the culmination of the range of activities that have happened in the operation around the streamlined processing, rant dealing with those _ streamlined processing, rant dealing with those high grant nationalities. so some _ with those high grant nationalities. so some of those nationalities will have extremely high grant rates, if you look— have extremely high grant rates, if you look at— have extremely high grant rates, if you look at afghanistan at the moment _ you look at afghanistan at the moment. ~ ., , ., ., , moment. would they not have been sread moment. would they not have been spread throughout _ moment. would they not have been spread throughout the _ moment. would they not have been spread throughout the legacy - moment. would they not have been l spread throughout the legacy backlog you are dealing with in each of these quarters? i understand you are saying you had more caseworkers dealing with the cases, but actually the spread of afghans or people from the spread of afghans or people from the high acceptance groups, they must have been spread evenly. the streamlined — must have been spread evenly. the streamlined processing particularly which _ streamlined processing particularly which was — streamlined processing particularly which was deliberately targeted on that will— which was deliberately targeted on that will have borne out in the quarter— that will have borne out in the quarter three, that will have borne out in the quarterthree, probably that will have borne out in the quarter three, probably quarter two in quarter— quarter three, probably quarter two in quarter three, can't remember the exact— in quarter three, can't remember the exact date _ in quarter three, can't remember the exact date when we introduced it but it was _ exact date when we introduced it but it was earlier this year, that those would _ it was earlier this year, that those would have — it was earlier this year, that those would have flown through into those quarterly _ would have flown through into those quarterly statistics.— quarterly statistics. right, ok. you are sa inc quarterly statistics. right, ok. you are saying in _ quarterly statistics. right, ok. you are saying in quarter— quarterly statistics. right, ok. you are saying in quarter four _ quarterly statistics. right, ok. you are saying in quarter four we - quarterly statistics. right, ok. you are saying in quarter four we are i are saying in quarter four we are going to see a reduction in the acceptance rate, is that what you are saying? i acceptance rate, is that what you are saying?— are saying? i believe you should exect to are saying? i believe you should exoect to see — are saying? i believe you should exoect to see a _ are saying? i believe you should expect to see a drop _ are saying? i believe you should expect to see a drop in - are saying? i believe you should expect to see a drop in the - are saying? i believe you should | expect to see a drop in the grant rate in— expect to see a drop in the grant rate in the — expect to see a drop in the grant rate in the final quarter, yes. gk, rate in the final quarter, yes. ok, so that's the _ rate in the final quarter, yes. oi, so that's the explanation. tim latin, would you like to deal with theissue latin, would you like to deal with the issue of withdrawals? i'd love to, thank you very much. welcome, ministers. — to, thank you very much. welcome, ministers, congratulations - to, thank you very much. welcome, ministers, congratulations on - to, thank you very much. welcome, ministers, congratulations on your. ministers, congratulations on your appointment, commiserations, mr pursglove, finding yourself back in the home office. two weeks ago we had what i think might be described not as a data rich session with the permanent secretary and simon ridley. it turned out that those home office statistics which we challenged them on, in many cases, have turned out to be rather full of errors. so specifically on the question of withdrawals to try and explain how the figures from the outstanding backlog have been reducing at a faster rate, which on the face of it is encouraging, but, so the figures we challenge, was the 17,316 claims designated by the home office year end september 2023 as having been withdrawn. and that, after some unsatisfactory exchanges, resulted in the refrain from i think it was simon ridley that we don't know where those 17,316 are, which is rather worrying. the letter which the permanent secretary has just written says that, to quote, "a proportion of withdrawals have been mis—categorised as other withdrawals." so in that final quarter what i pointed out is that 95% of those withdrawals were categorised as other mad other withdrawals are an asylum claim withdrawn explicitly, for example, if the applicant signs a form to withdrawn his or her application, or it is withdrawn because the applicant leaves the country prior to a decision. my question to you now, how have those figures been mis—categorised, because the other withdrawals in most cases require a physical act of filling in a form to say they no longer wish to have their application considered. so perhaps, mrtomlinson, their application considered. so perhaps, mr tomlinson, as you are in charge of illegal, can you explain how there was such an error in the categorisation? i'm going to hand straight over to the minister was dealing with withdrawals. the permanent secretary did a lot of that as well.— permanent secretary did a lot of that as well. , ., , ., �* , that as well. lets hope we don't see too much of — that as well. lets hope we don't see too much of that _ that as well. lets hope we don't see too much of that and _ that as well. lets hope we don't see too much of that and i'm _ that as well. lets hope we don't see too much of that and i'm sure - that as well. lets hope we don't see too much of that and i'm sure you . too much of that and i'm sure you will keep— too much of that and i'm sure you will keep us— too much of that and i'm sure you will keep us rigorously to point. to set will keep us rigorously to point. set this in will keep us rigorously to point. to set this in context, in the year ending — set this in context, in the year ending september— set this in context, in the year ending september2023, - set this in context, in the year| ending september 2023, there set this in context, in the year- ending september 2023, there were 17.316— ending september 2023, there were 17,316 withdrawn— ending september 2023, there were 17,316 withdrawn asylum _ 17,316 withdrawn asylum applications, _ 17,316 withdrawn asylum applications, more - 17,316 withdrawn asylum applications, more thanl 17,316 withdrawn asylum - applications, more than four times number— applications, more than four times number in — applications, more than four times number in the _ applications, more than four times number in the previous _ applications, more than four times number in the previous year- applications, more than four times number in the previous year whenl number in the previous year when there _ number in the previous year when there were — number in the previous year when there were 4260. _ number in the previous year when there were 4260. albanian - number in the previous year when i there were 4260. albanian nationals accounted _ there were 4260. albanian nationals accounted for— there were 4260. albanian nationals accounted for 54% _ there were 4260. albanian nationals accounted for 54% of— there were 4260. albanian nationals accounted for 54% of withdrawals . there were 4260. albanian nationals accounted for 54% of withdrawals inl accounted for 54% of withdrawals in the year _ accounted for 54% of withdrawals in the year ending _ accounted for 54% of withdrawals in the year ending september- accounted for 54% of withdrawals in the year ending september 2023. l accounted for 54% of withdrawals in l the year ending september 2023. and what we _ the year ending september 2023. and what we have — the year ending september 2023. and what we have seen _ the year ending september 2023. and what we have seen is— the year ending september 2023. and what we have seen is relative - the year ending september 2023. and what we have seen is relative to - what we have seen is relative to other— what we have seen is relative to other nationalities— what we have seen is relative to other nationalities applying - what we have seen is relative to other nationalities applying for. other nationalities applying for asylum. — other nationalities applying for asylum, albanians— other nationalities applying for asylum, albanians had - other nationalities applying for asylum, albanians had a - other nationalities applying for asylum, albanians had a high. other nationalities applying for. asylum, albanians had a high rate other nationalities applying for- asylum, albanians had a high rate of withdrawing — asylum, albanians had a high rate of withdrawing their— asylum, albanians had a high rate of withdrawing their asylum _ withdrawing their asylum applications. _ withdrawing their asylum applications. this - withdrawing their asylum applications. this isn't. withdrawing their asylum - applications. this isn't surprising. what _ applications. this isn't surprising. what we — applications. this isn't surprising. what we consistently _ applications. this isn't surprising. what we consistently tend - applications. this isn't surprising. what we consistently tend to - applications. this isn't surprising. what we consistently tend to seel applications. this isn't surprising. i what we consistently tend to see is albanians _ what we consistently tend to see is albanians using _ what we consistently tend to see is albanians using the _ what we consistently tend to see is albanians using the asylum - what we consistently tend to see is albanians using the asylum route . albanians using the asylum route having _ albanians using the asylum route having arrived _ albanians using the asylum route having arrived via _ albanians using the asylum route having arrived via a _ albanians using the asylum route having arrived via a small - albanians using the asylum route having arrived via a small boat i albanians using the asylum route. having arrived via a small boat and that being — having arrived via a small boat and that being convenient _ having arrived via a small boat and that being convenient in _ having arrived via a small boat and that being convenient in the - that being convenient in the circumstances, _ that being convenient in the circumstances, but - that being convenient in the circumstances, but actuallyl that being convenient in the i circumstances, but actually not particularly _ circumstances, but actually not particularly wanting _ circumstances, but actually not particularly wanting to - circumstances, but actually not particularly wanting to be - circumstances, but actually not| particularly wanting to be within the asylum _ particularly wanting to be within the asylum system, _ particularly wanting to be within the asylum system, and - particularly wanting to be within the asylum system, and so- particularly wanting to be within the asylum system, and so thatj the asylum system, and so that obviously — the asylum system, and so that obviously accounts _ the asylum system, and so that obviously accounts for - the asylum system, and so that obviously accounts for a - the asylum system, and so that obviously accounts for a very i obviously accounts for a very significant _ obviously accounts for a very significant chunk— obviously accounts for a very significant chunk of- obviously accounts for a very significant chunk of the - obviously accounts for a very. significant chunk of the figure. obviously accounts for a very- significant chunk of the figure. and invariably. — significant chunk of the figure. and invariably, those _ significant chunk of the figure. and invariably, those cases— significant chunk of the figure. and invariably, those cases flow - significant chunk of the figure. and invariably, those cases flow into i invariably, those cases flow into the immigration _ invariably, those cases flow into the immigration enforcement. invariably, those cases flow into - the immigration enforcement space which _ the immigration enforcement space which minister _ the immigration enforcement space which minister tomlinson _ the immigration enforcement space which minister tomlinson leads - the immigration enforcement space which minister tomlinson leads on. which minister tomlinson leads on and things— which minister tomlinson leads on and things like _ which minister tomlinson leads on and things like mandatory- which minister tomlinson leads on. and things like mandatory reporting around _ and things like mandatory reporting around that— and things like mandatory reporting around that to — and things like mandatory reporting around that to try— and things like mandatory reporting around that to try and _ and things like mandatory reporting around that to try and monitor- and things like mandatory reporting around that to try and monitor the i around that to try and monitor the situation _ around that to try and monitor the situation of — around that to try and monitor the situation of course _ around that to try and monitor the situation of course with _ around that to try and monitor the situation of course with detentionl around that to try and monitor the. situation of course with detention a possibility— situation of course with detention a possibility as — situation of course with detention a possibility as well— situation of course with detention a possibility as well in _ situation of course with detention a possibility as well in the _ possibility as well in the circumstances _ possibility as well in the circumstances to- possibility as well in the l circumstances to facilitate possibility as well in the _ circumstances to facilitate removal. there _ circumstances to facilitate removal. there are _ circumstances to facilitate removal. there are other— circumstances to facilitate removal. there are other reasons _ circumstances to facilitate removal. there are other reasons that - circumstances to facilitate removal. i there are other reasons that account for why— there are other reasons that account for why claims — there are other reasons that account for why claims are _ there are other reasons that account for why claims are withdrawn, - there are other reasons that account for why claims are withdrawn, for. for why claims are withdrawn, for example. — for why claims are withdrawn, for example, somebody— for why claims are withdrawn, for example, somebody no - for why claims are withdrawn, for example, somebody no longer. for why claims are withdrawn, for. example, somebody no longer being for why claims are withdrawn, for - example, somebody no longer being in this country. _ example, somebody no longer being in this country. so— example, somebody no longer being in this country, so withdrawing _ example, somebody no longer being in this country, so withdrawing their - this country, so withdrawing their claim. _ this country, so withdrawing their claim. or. — this country, so withdrawing their claim. or. for— this country, so withdrawing their claim, or, for example, _ this country, so withdrawing theirl claim, or, for example, somebody qualifying — claim, or, for example, somebody qualifying under— claim, or, for example, somebody qualifying under another— claim, or, for example, somebody qualifying under another route - claim, or, for example, somebody. qualifying under another route which resolves _ qualifying under another route which resolves the — qualifying under another route which resolves the circumstances - qualifying under another route which resolves the circumstances and - resolves the circumstances and therefore — resolves the circumstances and therefore means _ resolves the circumstances and therefore means they - resolves the circumstances and therefore means they no - resolves the circumstances and | therefore means they no longer resolves the circumstances and - therefore means they no longer want to proceed _ therefore means they no longer want to proceed with— therefore means they no longer want to proceed with an _ therefore means they no longer want to proceed with an asylum _ to proceed with an asylum application _ to proceed with an asylum application. i— to proceed with an asylum application-— to proceed with an asylum a- lication. , ., ., ., application. i understand that, all of which should _ application. i understand that, all of which should be _ application. i understand that, all of which should be known - application. i understand that, all of which should be known to - application. i understand that, all of which should be known to the l application. i understand that, all- of which should be known to the home office, and presumably therefore the home office will have a record of the status of that person and where they are, and in particular if they remain in the united kingdom, therefore, without permission to do so. by my calculation is you have just said that 54% of that 17,316 figure were down to albanians, the government has had some success with returning albanians. presumably it has kept a record of which albanians have been returned and obliged to leave the uk. why did mr ridley says he does not know where those 17,316 people are?— people are? because they are not detained, and _ people are? because they are not detained, and therefore, - people are? because they are not detained, and therefore, you - people are? because they are not i detained, and therefore, you either detain _ detained, and therefore, you either detain people and say they are therefore in place a, or they are not detained, is tom quite rightly said. _ not detained, is tom quite rightly said. some — not detained, is tom quite rightly said, some are detained to facilitate removal but that is for