To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision will be made on the application by relatives of the constituents of the hon. Member for West Lancashire, Mr Katona, visa reference number VFS-ZA-01-011915-X and Amanda Katona, visa reference number VFS-ZA-01-011916-X, for a family reunion visa, made in Pretoria, South Africa. (247869)

[holding answer 15 January 2009]: The visa section in Pretoria have sought verification of key documents submitted in support of these visa applications, the results of which have now been received. The applications were resolved on 26 January 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to enable UK Border Agency caseworkers to examine new evidence in respect of individuals seeking asylum. (270190)

[holding answer 22 April 2009]: The procedure followed by UK Border Agency case owners in examining new evidence in respect of individuals seeking asylum depends on the stage the asylum claim has reached when the new evidence comes to light.

If the individual's asylum claim is outstanding, the new evidence will form part of the initial consideration.

If the individual has had an initial decision on their asylum claim, but they have an appeal outstanding, they may have a reconsideration of the original decision by the UKBA case owners, or the new evidence may be considered at appeal by an immigration judge, depending on the similarity of the new evidence to that which has previously been considered.

If the individual has come to the end of the asylum process and has exhausted their appeal rights, any new evidence put forward will be considered under paragraph 353 of the Immigration Rules.