asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will now declare Zaire to be a country in which there has been a fundamental change of circumstances under the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996.

In view of the current situation in Zaire, my right honourable friend has decided to declare that that country has undergone such a fundamental change in circumstances that he would not normally order the return of a person to that country for the time being. The effect is that a Zairean national who applies for asylum other than on arrival, within three months of this declaration being made, becomes eligible to claim social security benefits while their application is considered by my department.