§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussion his Department has held with(a) the retail trade and (b) other appropriate agencies in relation to the new voucher system set out in the Asylum and Immigration Bill; and if he will make a statement. [95685]
§ Mrs. RocheA seminar about the proposed voucher system, at which many of the major retail groups were represented, was held in June. Officials have also had discussions separately with some of the retail groups and with security printing companies, various banks, other Government Departments and local authorities. Meetings were also held recently with the asylum authorities in Berlin, where they have had experience of asylum seekers being issued with vouchers with which to obtain essential living needs since 1993.