HC Deb 22 October 2002 vol 391 cc236-7W
Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to submit a planning notification to Wychavon District Council in relation to the proposed asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton. [76261]

Beverley Hughes

We are liaising closely with Wychavon District Council. A planning notification will be submitted in due course.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made since June 2002 in the determination of the suitability of RAF Turnhouse for an asylum seeker accommodation centre. [75066]

Beverley Hughes

Those sites still under consideration, including RAF Turnhouse, are being evaluated under a wide range of criteria. We will reach a decision as soon as possible on the suitability of RAF Turnhouse. However, immediate priority is being given to the three sites for which it has been decided to submit planning notifications.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what impact the "Future Development of Air Transport" consultation document has had on the consideration of RAF Turnhouse as an asylum seeker accommodation centre; [75065]

(2) what response his Department has made to the Department of Transport's "Future Development of Air Transport" consultation document regarding the options to expand Edinburgh Airport on land being considered for an asylum seeker accommodation centre. [75064]

Beverley Hughes

The Home Office and Department of Transport are aware of each others plans and are discussing the implications. We announced on May 14 that further work was required on the Edinburgh site before a decision could be taken on whether to submit a planning notification. An announcement will be made about our intentions in due course.