To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases have been taken to immigration appeals tribunals in each of the last five years; and what has been the administrative cost of the appeal tribunals system in each of the last five years. [36341]

The number of cases¹which have been taken to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in each of the last five years is:

£
1993–94	6,551
1994–95	27,792
1995–96	8,549
1996–97	11,720
1997–98	313,368

It is not possible to separate the administrative costs of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal alone but I can provide the following information for the Immigration Appellate Authority as a whole:

£
1994–95	6,965,344
1995–96	8,404,699
1996–97	11,388,311
1997–98	312,513,282
1These figures relate to initial applications. Only a proportion of this figure will be allowed and will then proceed to full hearing as an 'appeal'.
2This is an estimate as accurate historical data are not available for this year
3Projected figure.

Information for 1993–94 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.