HC Deb 12 June 2002 vol 386 cc1306-7W
Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many instances in the last 12 months the Metropolitan police have been requested to attend the administrative removal of failed asylum seekers in London. [58919]

Beverley Hughes

This information is not routinely collected and could be obtained only by examining individual case records at disproportionate cost.

Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been in National Asylum Support Service accommodation in each of the last 12 months. [58916]

Beverley Hughes

Figures are only available on a quarterly basis.

The following table shows the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) who are being supported in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation as at the end of each of the last five quarters.

Asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation
As at end: Number
March 2001 19,540
June 2001 26,500
September 2001 32,890
December 2001 40,320
March 2002 45,640

Notes:

1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

2. Figures exclude cases where the asylum seekers support has been ceased.

Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly and is available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/immigrationl.html.

Linda Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if asylum seekers who appeal against a decision to refuse support will receive support pending the outcome of any appeal of this decision. [59997]

Beverley Hughes

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) may only provide or arrange for the provision of support for asylum seekers or their dependants who appear to the Secretary of State to be destitute or likely to become so within 14 days.

Where support is provided, it may be terminated early if the asylum seeker has failed to comply with a condition on which support was granted.

Where NASS refuses an application for support or terminated the grant of support early, there is a right of appeal against that decision. There is no right to receive support while an appeal against refusal or early termination of support is outstanding.

Linda Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if asylum-seeking families with dependant children may have their support removed if they fail to report as required. [59993]

Beverley Hughes

The nationality, immigration and asylum Bill contains a provision to withdraw support from those who fail, without reasonable cause, to report as required. This provision applies to asylum-seeking families with dependant children in the same way as it does for others. Asylum seekers accepting an offer of support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) will be fully informed of the need to comply with a requirement to report and that support may be terminated if they do not do so.