HC Deb 22 June 2004 vol 422 cc1376-7W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the resourcing of the National Asylum Support Service. [177895]

Mr. Browne

There are no plans to increase the resourcing of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) in 2004–05.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) training and (b) level of local knowledge of National Asylum Support Service staff. [177896]

Mr. Browne

All National Asylum Support Service (NASS) staff receive training appropriate to their individual jobs. In 2003, NASS established offices in 11 regions. NASS regional staff are developing a wide range of local knowledge. The majority of the staff live in the region where they are working. Regular meetings are held with local authorities, the police and other stakeholders that provide an insight into local issues.