§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Kurds from Turkey have entered Britain in the past 14 days seeking political asylum or refugee status; what steps he is taking to deal with the cases; and if he intends to give financial or other help to the London borough of Hackney and other boroughs to provide temporary or permanent accommodation and maintenance.
§ Mr. RentonWe received 456 applications for asylum for Turkish nationals arriving at ports in the 14 days to 11 May. It is not yet clear how many of the applicants are Kurds. Arrangements are in hand for them to be interviewed individually so that the merits of their asylum claims can he assessed and decisions reached as soon as possible.
The Home Office has no plans to reimburse local authorities for provision that they have decided to incur.