The British Asylum and Immigration Act became effective from 26 July 1993 despite wide ranging opposition within and outside Parliament. New Immigration rules on Asylum and Asylum Appeals (Procedure) Rules also came into force in August. The Asylum Act provides for the fingerprinting of all asylum seekers including children. Those who do not cooperate in fingerprinting can be arrested without a warrant and detained until fingerprints are taken. Fingerprinting, according to the British government is necessary to prevent multiple applications. The fingerprints, according to the Act, will be destroyed within a month of granting permanent stay or after ten years. There is real concern that the records may be issued and that there is likelihood of records passing to the government of the country from where the asylum seeker fled.