HL Deb 05 December 1990 vol 524 cc180-2

2.56 p.m.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they support the proposals from the Refugee Council and others for a new reception centre for unaccompanied refugee children.

Lord Reay

My Lords, the proposals from the Refugee Council and others for reception and assessment services for unaccompanied refugee children make a useful contribution to consideration of the issues in this complex area. They are being carefully considered. A formal response will be sent as soon as possible.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, in the light of the totally inadequate conditions in which these children are being held—for example, in town halls and unsupported in hotels—does the Minister agree that his Answer lacks a sense of urgency? If the Minister cannot respond to the Refugee Council's proposals, can he tell the House what government initiatives can be put into effect to help those children? Does he also know the official number of unaccompanied refugee children in the UK at present and what resources the Government are giving specifically to help those children in 1990–91?

Lord Reay

My Lords, separate figures for unaccompanied children under the age of 18, identified on arrival, have been kept only since 20th August 1990 when we became aware that this was a significant problem. Thirty-four children have arrived between that date and 26th November.

In response to the first point made by the noble Baroness, I can only repeat what I said in my original Answer; we consider that proposal to be a most useful contribution. We are looking into it and we shall take a decision as soon as we possibly can.

Lord Hylton

My Lords, this problem has a particular urgency with regard to Kurdish refugees from Eastern Turkey. Can the Minister assure the House that every effort is made to reunite children with their relatives who are already in this country?

Lord Reay

My Lords, I take note of the noble Lord's suggestion and I am sure that everything possible is being and will be done.

Baroness Faithfull

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that under the Children Act, homeless children are the responsibility of social services departments? At present those departments in this country are undermanned and can hardly carry out their statutory duties. It is impossible for them to deal with the refugee children as they would like if they had the necessary resources.

Lord Reay

My Lords, my noble friend is right in that she says that the local authorities have a statutory responsibility in that area. The Government appreciate that the arrival from overseas of large groups of unaccompanied children can present local authorities with a problem. That is a matter about which there have been discussions.

Earl Russell

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the Government have considered the costs, direct and indirect, human and financial, of allowing the situation to continue? Can he say whether the Government regard those costs as acceptable?

Lord Reay

My Lords, apart from considering the specific proposal made by the Refugee Council, the Government are urgently reviewing all arrangements relating to those seeking asylum as a result of the sharp increase in the numbers in recent years.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, did not the Refugee Council, under the distinguished chairmanship of my noble friend Lord Clinton-Davis, put forward proposals to the Government as long ago as July this year? I believe those proposals were based on guidelines and suggested the setting-up of a new agency funded by government departments. Is it not time that the Government recognised the urgency of the situation and made some constructive response to the proposals? When will the Government reply to the proposals of the Refugee Council?

Lord Reay

My Lords, we accept that this problem needs to be looked at. We are doing so, and shall make our replies as soon as possible.

Lord Richard

My Lords, can the Minister give the level of funding currently provided by the Government specifically towards the care of refugee children for 1988, 1989 and 1990? Can he also tell us the projected figure for 1990–91? Somewhere in the bowels of the ministries in Whitehall are assessments of what the cost will be. I am sure it would be helpful if we had that information.

Lord Reay

My Lords, I am willing to undertake to scrutinise the bowels to see whether I can discover the figures requested by the noble Lord.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, in view of the heavy costs to local authorities of maintaining and caring for these children, can the Minister say whether the Government will reimburse local authorities?

Lord Reay

My Lords, the Department of Health had meetings with representatives of local authorities regarding the recent influx of unaccompanied children, in particular from Eritrea. The department is considering whether there is a case for special funding to assist with the cost of providing for those children.