§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in cash terms and in constant prices the Government spent in 1980, 1990, 1991 and 1992 on the reception of asylum seekers.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThere are no formal reception arrangements for asylum seekers. They are entitled to a range of statutory benefits and services which are available to the rest of the population. The Government provide funding to voluntary organisations to advise and assist newly arrived asylum seekers, and to meet the costs of short term, emergency accommodation and maintenance for destitute asylum seekers before they gain access to the statutory system. Grants to voluntary organisations for this purpose for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92, and 1992–93 are set out in the table and taken at 1990 prices. No grants were made to assist the reception of asylum seekers in 1980.
Year Cash terms £ Constant prices £ 1990–91 312,000 312,000 1991–92 830,650 781,421 1992–93 939,600 851,087