To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average cost to public funds was of an asylum and immigration tribunal appeal in the most recent period for which figures are available. (91629)

The average unit cost of an asylum and immigration tribunal appeal in the financial year 2005 to 2006, from receipt to final decision of the appeal, was £762.

This figure represents the average unit cost of administration for all appeal types before the tribunal and includes judicial costs, accommodation and the cost of providing an interpreter at the appeal hearing where this is necessary.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer from the Minister for Nationality, Citizenship and Immigration of 4 September 2006, Official Report, column 1742, what the average cost is of processing an asylum application appeal. (91796)

The average unit cost of processing an asylum appeal at the asylum and immigration tribunal in the financial year 2005 to 2006, up to the final decision of the appeal, was £1,205.

This figure represents the average unit cost of administration for asylum appeals before the tribunal and includes judicial costs, accommodation and the cost of providing an interpreter at the appeal hearing where this is necessary.