Asylum bureaucracy

sir – As a former immigration judge, I am not surprised by the news that there are more than 150,000 outstanding asylum claims (report, February 22). Even 15 years ago, the asinine decisions of superior tribunals obliged us to offer in each case determinations that were often in excess of 20 typewritten pages, citing every imaginable relevant authority. Most of the – unsuccessful – appellants were never deported, of course.

I understand that in Holland and Denmark these matters are dealt with in pro-forma documents of two or three pages. Given the huge numbers now involved in Britain, it would certainly help if asylum appeals could be dealt with, after a proper hearing, quickly and economically.

Jolyon Grey Bourton-on-the-water, Gloucestershire