Some fear war in Iraq will lead to a refugee crisis

No decisions will be taken on the claims of Iraqis seeking asylum in the UK until the situation in the Gulf becomes clearer, the Home Office has said.

Judgements on Iraqi asylum claims had been temporarily "deferred" during the current conflict in Iraq, according to a spokeswoman.

Applicants will still be processed as usual and allowed to remain in the UK, but will not be told whether their claim has succeeded until the situation "becomes a bit clearer".

A Home Office spokeswoman told BBC News Online: "It's difficult to speculate about what sort of conditions might be existing and what sort of changes to asylum policy we might be considering.

"No decisions will be taken on Iraqis claiming asylum while the situation remains as it is.

"Screening procedures will still take place but when it comes to making decisions, we will defer until the situation becomes a bit clearer."

All asylum seekers are fingerprinted, go through security checks, have their pictures taken and are issued with identity cards.

"They're fairly rigorously screened as it is so we're pretty confident the system is still adequate as it is," the spokeswoman added.

'Returning home'

In 2002 there was a record number of claims, with 110,700 seeking asylum in the UK. Iraqis formed by far the largest group.

Of the applicants, half were accepted, though more may still be in the appeals process. Only about 13,000 were forcibly removed.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said better border controls, new legislation and new controls over failed applicants had helped to lower numbers in recent months.

Asylum seeker figures Total applications: 85,865 Total including dependents: 110,700 Rise over 2001: 20% 50% accepted Applications across EU (excluding Italy) fell by 1% By far the biggest group came from Iraq

More asylum figures

The government is still considering ways to cut the number of new claims, including a system of United Nations safe havens to which asylum seekers could be sent.

Last month, Mr Blunkett said he thought a successful campaign to remove Saddam Hussein's regime could lead to fewer, rather than more, Iraqi refugees in the UK.

"I'm looking forward one way or another... to not only stopping the flow of asylum seekers but returning those who are here back to their homes."

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Tony Blair said he thought the numbers of people arriving in the UK to claim asylum should halve by September.