§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total expenditure by his Department on refugee children by each local authority since April 1994 within the terms of the Children Act 1989. [9715]
§ Mr. BurnsThe Department has established special grants for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and children in families for 1996–97. Under the conditions of both grants, allocations and payments will be made in 1997 to individual authorities who qualify for support. In previous years the Department has not made separate financial provision to local authorities for asylum-seeking children.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings have been held with organisations representing refugees concerning the health needs of children and vulnerable adults. [9714]
§ Mr. BurnsOfficials have held two meetings during 1996 with representatives of the Refugee Council to discuss the progress of a project which the department has funded with section 64 grants.
A third meeting was held this month to discuss the aims of a potential new bid from the Refugee Council for more section 64 money that will address the health needs of refugees.