§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were assisted by the Refugee Council in the last year when figures were recorded. [19463]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerDuring 1993, 5,613 cases were assisted by the Refugee Council's advice service. The number of individuals assisted will have been higher than this, as a case may comprise an individual or an individual plus dependants. In the first ten months of 1994–figures are not yet available for the full year—the advice service assisted 5,970 cases.
The Refugee Council also administers a panel of advisers to assist unaccompanied child asylum seekers. Between March 1994, when the panel started operations, and February 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, 324 children were assisted by the panel.
The Refugee Council has a leading role in assisting those received under the Government's scheme to accept 1,000 vulnerable people from the former Yugoslavia, and their dependants. During 1994–95, 562 were assisted by the Refugee Council.
The Refugee Council also has a substantial role in advising and supporting local refugee organisations, and in the training and employment of refugees.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the funding available to refugees in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each of the other EU member states. [19465]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerHome Office funding is available to national and regional refugee organisations to assist refugees and asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. In 1994–95, this funding amounted to £3.3 million, with additional sums for the reception and settlement of refugees from the former Yugoslavia. No information is available about funding for refugees in EU member states.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies have been made by his Department of the needs of refugees in the last five years; and what proposals have been brought forward as a result of these studies. [19464]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe report of a study by the Home Office into the settlement of refugees in Britain was published on 31 March. The report does not make specific recommendations, but its possible implications for policy are being considered. The report of a similar study of the settlement of Vietnamese refugees is in the final stages of preparation.