Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If she will ensure that all asylum interviews are routinely audio and video recorded.

The Home Office is required to allow claimants, with some exceptions, to have their asylum interviews electronically recorded on request. The request to record the interview is at the discretion of the claimant. The invitation to interview letter advises eligible claimants to inform the asylum office if they wish the interview to be recorded, and to provide a minimum of 24 hours notice of their request to avoid a delay on the day. For those in detention, at least three days notice must be provided. We recognise that digitally recording asylum interviews has the potential to bring benefits to both asylum seekers and to the Home Office and we are currently exploring this as an option for the future.