§ Lord Eltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the debate on asylum seekers on I March, whether they will ensure that, under the voucher scheme, asylum seekers tendering vouchers for goods of a lesser value are given change in cash or vouchers to the full value of the difference. [HL1382]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonNo. We are giving each asylum seeker a voucher exchangeable for £10 cash and the goods vouchers given will be in small denominations. We would expect this to allow voucher payments to be rounded up to the amount required, rather than vouchers being proffered in excess of the value of the goods purchased.
We shall, in any event, keep the progress of the voucher scheme under close scrutiny, and will remain ready to make any adjustments that experience show to be necessary.