§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responsibilities local authorities have to house asylum seekers whose applications(a) are under consideration and (b) have been refused; and if he will make a statement.[11203]
§ Mr. ClappisonAt present the homelessness legislation requires local authorities to secure accommodation for asylum seekers who are unintentionally homeless and in priority need, if there is no other accommodation available for them. When the Asylum and Immigration Bill becomes law we propose to make an order that would remove entitlement under the homelessness legislation from those persons who apply for asylum after they have entered this country, and from those asylum seekers who remain in this country pending the outcome of an appeal against an initial negative decision. This will align entitlement under the homelessness legislation with entitlement to housing benefit.