§ Mr. SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to public funds of asylum seekers awaiting determination of their case in each of the last five years. [105993]
§ Mrs. RocheUntil 1999 (when responsibility transferred to the Home Office) asylum support costs were divided between the Department of Social Security and the Department of Health. In 1998–99, asylum support cost £470 million, of which £280 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1997–98, asylum support22W cost £375 million, of which £305 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1996–97, asylum support cost £412.7 million of which £400 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1994–95 and 1995–96 asylum support costs were met by the Department of Social Security. These costs were £360 million and £420 million respectively. Changes to the Department of Social Security benefits in 1996 removed support to those asylum seekers who applied for support "in country". Support for asylum seekers was made available under the terms of the National Assistance Act 1948. With effect from 1996–97 local authorities were reimbursed for their expenditure through a special grant administered by the Department of Health.
§ Mr. SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average waiting time for asylum seekers between arrival in the United Kingdom and determination of their case, in each of the last five years; [105994]
(2) how many asylum seekers are awaiting determination of their case; and how many were awaiting determination at the end of each of the last five years. [105992]
§ Mrs. RocheAs at the end of November 1999, 98,045 asylum applications were awaiting an initial decision.
Available information on outstanding applications and average waiting times for 1994 to 1998 is given in the table.
Average initial decision times in months, and number of outstanding cases, 1994–981 Average length of decision time2 Year All Applications1 Applications lodged pre July 1993 Applications lodged post July 1993 Applications outstanding at the end of the year3 1994 17 28 6 55,255 1995 18 42 9 69,650 1996 17 53 12 57,405 1997 22 65 15 51,795 1998 17 79 12 64,770 1 Excluding dependants 2 The average length of time (in months) is calculated from when data application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the year in which the decisions were made 3 Figures rounded to the nearest 5