§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much money has been transferred to local authorities for the support of asylum seekers under the settlement announced by the Baroness Cumberlege on 4th March 1996.
§ Baroness CumberlegeThe Secretary of State for Health announced in another place on 6th June 1996, at col. 509 that the Department of Health has earmarked £25 million for the Special Grant to compensate social services departments for additional expenditure they may incur in support of children in need, as a result of changes or prospective changes to social security benefits for asylum seekers. The Special Grant Report, which was due to be debated on 26th June, had to be withdrawn because of the judgment by the Court of Appeal on the vires of the earlier benefit changes. A revised Special Grant Report will be laid and debated as soon as possible after the Recess.