§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people aged under 18 have been returned to their families in their countries of origin in each of the last three years. [144992]
§ Beverley HughesInformation on the ages of those people removed from the United Kingdom is not collated centrally and would only be available by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.
Although statistics of the removal of failed asylum seekers include unaccompanied minors; they are not separately identified. However, as a matter of policy, unaccompanied children are not removed under Immigration Act powers unless we are satisfied that suitable arrangements have been made for their reception and care in the destination country.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much benefit was paid to asylum seekers living in the United Kingdom in 2003. [148953]
§ Beverley HughesThe budget for asylum support costs for 2002–03 is £1,067 million. The actual outturn will be published in the audited resource accounts for the Home Office.