HC Deb 09 July 2002 vol 388 c893W
Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what area of land is required to construct each of the proposed asylum accommodation centres. [45558]

Beverley Hughes

I apologise for the delay in answering this question due to an administrative oversight in my Department. It is envisaged that in order to provide a full range of on-site services for a total of 750 asylum seekers, a site of around 20 to 25 acres will be required.

Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on local(a) labour markets and (b) small businesses of the establishment of asylum accommodation centres in remote rural locations; and if he will make a statement. [59273]

Beverley Hughes

These assessments are being made as part of the planning process.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 803W, on RAF Turnhouse, for what reasons his Department has not reached a final decision on the suitability of RAF Turnhouse for an asylum seeker accommodation centre. [62063]

Beverley Hughes

Immediate priority has been given to the three sites for which it has been decided to submit planning notifications. A final decision on the sites still under consideration, including the Royal Air Force (RAF) Turnhouse, has not been reached simply because further work on evaluation is still in progress. As I have stated previously, we will reach a decision as soon as possible on the suitability of RAF Turnhouse.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 803W, on RAF Turnhouse, which of the criteria listed (a) Killingholme and (b) Hooton Park failed to meet. [62178]

Beverley Hughes

We do not consider there to be any genuine public interest in disclosing the reasons why sites have been found to be unsuitable for the development of accommodation centres.