HC Deb 29 January 1996 vol 270 cc576-7W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the oral statement of I 1 January,Official Report, columns 331–45 (1) in what proportion he plans that local authorities should be reimbursed for the costs they face in respect of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 1996; [11627]

(2) what estimates he has made of the likely total costs of the assistance he plans should be given to local authorities in respect of costs arising from the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 1996. [11628]

Mr. Curry

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Sir P. Beresford), on 23 January to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn),Official Report, column 204.

Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities, housing authorities and other bodies on the implementation of clause 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Bill; and if he will place copies of all representations on this matter in the Library. [12109]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 26 January 1996]No such representations have been received.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the additional costs or savings to housing authorities as a consequence of the implementation of clause 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Bill. [12108]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 26 January 1996]The effect of the provisions in clause 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Bill will be to relieve local housing authorities of an obligation to provide housing assistance for persons from abroad who are not entitled to social security benefits. Information about the present cost of housing such persons is not collected centrally, but it is expected that worthwhile savings will result in the longer term.