§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is negotiating on behalf of the Government with Severn Waste Services for the purchase of land necessary to construct an access road to the Throckmorton site for a possible asylum accommodation centre; and if he will make a statement. [57113]
§ Beverley HughesI understand that dialogue is continuing between the site owner, QinetiQ, and Severn Waste. The proposal for an access road has its origins in QinetiQ's plan to establish a science park at Throckmorton airfield, which are well known and which pre-date our proposal for an accommodation centre for asylum seekers.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 7I8W, on asylum accommodation centres, what evaluation has taken place of bids to develop and operate asylum accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement. [59369]
§ Beverley HughesNo bids have yet been invited to develop and operate accommodation centres.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Defence Estates organisation about its planned disposals of land and the suitability of such land for use as an asylum accommodation centre. [59070]
§ Beverley HughesWe are working very closely with the Defence Estates organisation on the accommodation centres programme. In relation to discussions on the Throckmorton site, we are conducting these with QinetiQ.
1233W
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received supporting the establishment of an asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton, Worcestershire. [59086]
§ Beverley HughesA planning notification has not yet been submitted in respect of the proposed accommodation centre at Throckmorton.
The consultation period of the planning process has therefore not yet begun.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet residents of the Buckingham constituency who will be affected if plans proceed for an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Piddington. [57653]
§ Beverley HughesThe Home Office will shortly be taking part in public consultation as part of the planning process. We are discussing with Cherwel district council the exact nature that the consultation will take.